What affects men's mental health and how does it present?

Men's mental health challenges are often underdiagnosed and misunderstood because symptoms can present differently than in women, and societal expectations can mask or complicate emotional distress. Many men learn early that emotional expression, particularly vulnerability or sadness, is discouraged or seen as weakness.

This creates a particular challenge where mental health difficulties may be expressed through anger, withdrawal, addictive behaviours, or physical symptoms rather than the more recognised presentations of anxiety or depression. When the ways you naturally process emotions are misunderstood or pathologised, it can feel isolating and confusing.

Men seek support for mental health concerns for various reasons. You might recognise some of these experiences:

Emotional and psychological challenges:

• Depression that presents as irritability, anger, or emotional numbness rather than sadness

• Anxiety that manifests as restlessness, hypervigilance, or physical tension

• Feeling disconnected from emotions or uncertain how to identify feelings

• Perfectionism or intense pressure to succeed and provide

• Imposter syndrome or feeling inadequate despite external achievements

• Grief and loss that feels overwhelming or complicated

Relationship and social difficulties:

• Struggling to form or maintain intimate relationships

• Feeling isolated or lacking genuine male friendships

• Difficulty communicating emotions or needs to partners

• Fear of vulnerability or being truly seen

• Patterns of conflict avoidance or explosive anger

• Challenges with fatherhood or changing family dynamics

Life transitions and identity:

• Career changes, redundancy, or retirement adjustment

• Midlife questioning of purpose and direction

• Divorce or relationship breakdown

• Becoming a father or stepfather

• Dealing with ageing parents or family responsibilities

• Physical health changes or chronic illness

Trauma and adverse experiences:

• Childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

• Military or first responder trauma

• Workplace bullying or harassment

• Domestic violence (as victims or witnesses)

• Betrayal trauma or infidelity

• Addiction and recovery challenges

Ongoing effects you might notice:

• Using work, exercise, substances, or other activities to avoid emotions

• Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or sleep problems

• Difficulty relaxing or constant need to be productive

• Relationship conflicts or feeling misunderstood by partners

• Sense of responsibility for everyone else's wellbeing

• Feeling like you're performing masculinity rather than living authentically

What to expect

You will begin with an initial consultation with one of our therapists who specialise in male mental health. Our therapists bring both professional expertise and lived experience to their work, understanding the unique challenges men face. The consultation allows you to share what's brought you to therapy and for both of you to assess whether it feels like the right fit. After the consultation, if you wish to continue, you will arrange when and how often you meet with your therapist.

Ideally, you will meet at the same time and day every week or every other week, creating a consistent space for your therapeutic work. Sessions last 50 minutes and are open-ended, meaning you can have as many sessions as you need. You don't need to prepare anything before coming to therapy, and your therapist will be there to put you at ease.

Many men worry about appearing weak, being judged, or not knowing how to talk about feelings. These concerns are completely understandable given societal messages about masculinity. We work to create an environment where you can explore these concerns openly and develop emotional literacy at your own pace.

We work collaboratively to ensure therapy feels relevant and useful to you and we adapt our style to what works best for your personality and goals.

Healing and growth aren't linear processes. You might find some sessions challenging whilst others feel more straightforward. We're committed to supporting you through all aspects of this journey, helping you develop emotional resilience and authentic ways of being that feel genuinely your own.

Our approach

At Heathwell, we understand that effective therapy for men requires both clinical expertise and genuine understanding of male experiences. We draw on diverse approaches including psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, psychosynthesis and trauma-informed care, always adapting our work to your specific needs and preferences.

Our therapists have particular expertise in recognising how mental health challenges present in men, understanding the impact of masculine socialisation, and working with the unique pressures that many men face.

We recognise that many men have had negative experiences with mental health services or feel that therapy wasn't designed with them in mind. We're committed to providing a different kind of therapeutic relationship, one that honours your autonomy, respects your communication style, and recognises that vulnerability and strength can coexist.

Getting started

We offer initial consultations where you can share what's brought you to therapy and assess whether we feel like the right fit. There's no pressure to discuss more than feels comfortable, and everything shared remains strictly confidential.

Our goal is to help you develop authentic emotional expression, create meaningful relationships, and build a sense of wellbeing that feels sustainable and genuinely your own.