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[Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For more information about men’s mental health resources, visit movember.com.]
Seems like more and more newly sprouted mustaches are showing up every November over the last few years.
That’s how you know we’re talking about men’s mental health more than ever.
In fact, awareness campaigns have grown steadily, with 46% of people now engaging with men’s health initiatives during Movember, up from just 32% in 2019. We’re raising awareness. Men are listening.
Yet in spite of these incredible, positive gains, there’s still more to do.
That’s not to say growing engagement doesn’t matter. During the pandemic, men sought mental health care at rates five times higher than the previous year.
In this article, we’ll talk about practical advice on what should be done. Whether that’s for yourself or other men in your life, or during the 11 months when many of the mustaches come off and the social media posts stop. That’s where Movember’s real value is found.
Research from Movember reveals something important: men engage with mental health support differently than the usual clinical models assume.
They’re more likely to open up during shared activities such as playing basketball, working on cars, having a beer with friends, than sitting face-to-face with a therapist discussing feelings.
That insight drives how effective programs now operate. Movember-supported initiatives like the Rooted and Rising Collective, MindFit Toolkit, and YBMen Project create structures for men to connect and address mental health before symptoms become severe. These programs meet men where they are, in their communities, through their interests, via everyday interactions.
The results show what’s possible.
Men participate in programs connected to sports leagues, workplace wellness initiatives, and community organizations at higher rates than they attend standalone mental health services.
Mental health support embedded in familiar contexts increases engagement because it removes the barrier of having to “go to therapy” and instead integrates support into existing routines.
The key distinction here is prevention versus reaction.
Rather than waiting for crisis, these approaches address mental health as an ongoing aspect of wellness. Working with healthcare providers who understand these dynamics improves outcomes significantly.
Understanding the problem matters less than taking action. Here’s some ideas to help yourself as well as those around you.
Start with your own patterns. Notice when you’re sleeping differently, avoiding activities you normally enjoy, or feeling more irritable than usual. These shifts matter as much in your own life as they do when you notice them in others.
Men often experience mental health challenges through physical symptoms, anger, or withdrawal rather than obvious sadness. If you’re recognizing these patterns in yourself, that awareness is the first step toward getting support.
Regular connection matters more than perfect timing
When it comes to other important people in your life, you don’t need to wait for November or for signs of crisis.
The most effective check-ins happen during normal activities. Text someone about weekend plans. Invite a friend to coffee. Ask how a project is going. Men often share what’s really happening through these everyday exchanges rather than direct “how are you feeling” conversations.
The same applies when someone reaches out to you
Those casual invitations might be opportunities to talk about what’s actually going on.
Just under half of general practitioners report that male patients frequently seek help for mental health concerns, which means many men will engage when approached appropriately. If you’re the one experiencing these changes, consider whether it’s time to talk to someone you trust or reach out to a provider.
You most likely see your team members regularly and would notice when something changes. Performance shifts, missed deadlines, withdrawal from team activities, increased irritability, or changes in communication patterns can all signal that someone is struggling.
You’re not expected to diagnose or treat mental health conditions, but you can create an environment where getting support feels possible.
Normalize the topic of mental health and wellness
Make sure these conversations are a part of team meetings, one-on-ones, and casual interactions. When you mention using your own mental health benefits or taking time for wellness, you signal that these resources exist for a reason. Your team watches how you talk about mental health to gauge whether it’s actually acceptable to seek help.
Know what resources your organization offers and how to access them
Share information on Employee Assistance Programs, mental health benefits, flexible work arrangements, and leave policies all of which matter when someone needs support. Being able to say “here’s how you access our EAP” or “let’s figure out a schedule that works while you’re dealing with this” removes barriers that stop people from getting help.
Create psychological safety on your team
Responding supportively when someone does share they’re struggling can have a huge impact. How you handle the first person who mentions mental health challenges sets the tone for everyone else. Confidentiality, practical support, and follow-through matter more than having perfect words.
Create year-round programming that builds on Movember as a starting point. Use November to launch initiatives that continue through the calendar year. The conversations that start in November build momentum for sustained engagement when you create structures that last.
Build a connection through shared interests
Mental health support embedded in sports leagues, hobby groups, professional networks, or volunteer organizations reaches men who wouldn’t attend a standalone mental health program. These contexts provide natural opportunities for conversation and connection.
Remove practical barriers to access
Schedule programs during times that accommodate work hours. Choose locations that don’t require extensive travel. Design cost structures that don’t exclude participation. Each barrier you remove increases the likelihood that someone will show up.
Research shows that reported rates of mental illness among men aged 30-34 rose by 85% over the past decade, while only 40% of men with a reported mental illness received mental health services in 2021. That gap represents a great opportunity. Every man who doesn’t currently have access to appropriate support is someone your program could reach.
Regular connection matters more than perfect timing. You don’t need to wait for November or for signs of crisis to reach out.
The most effective check-ins happen during normal activities. Texting about weekend plans, inviting someone to coffee, or even asking how a project is going. Men often share what’s really happening through these everyday exchanges rather than direct “how are things” conversations.
Pay attention to pattern changes rather than dramatic signals. If someone’s sleeping differently, missing commitments they normally keep, or withdrawing from activities they usually enjoy, those shifts matter. Just under half of general practitioners report that male patients frequently seek help for mental health concerns, which means many men will engage when approached appropriately.
Men may present concerns through irritability, physical complaints, or changes in behavior rather than sadness or withdrawal. Recognizing these signs helps you connect someone with support before issues intensify.
When someone shares they’re struggling, be sure to have specific resources ready.
Names of providers, crisis lines, or community programs make the difference between intention and action. “You should talk to someone,” without specifics, rarely leads anywhere. “I know a provider who works well with men dealing with similar issues. Do you want their contact info?” creates a clear next step.
Research shows what works: early intervention, peer support networks, and mental health resources embedded in everyday contexts.
Movember provides the framework. The work that saves lives happens in what you do next.
Pick one action you’ll take starting in December, such as:
Men’s mental health needs more than mustaches. It needs consistent, practical support built into the other 11 months of the year.
You now know what that looks like and how to create it.
[Reminder: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For more information about men’s mental health resources, visit movember.com.]
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