Why Young Men Aren’t Asking for Help
Why young men avoid mental health support, and how to help them step forward
The mental health needs of young people are rising sharply. Recent data show that nearly one in four adolescents aged 17 to 19 in the UK likely faced a mental health problem in 2022, an increase from just a few years prior.
While both boys and girls are affected, adolescent boys and young men face a troubling paradox: despite being at heightened risk for serious outcomes, including suicide, they remain underrepresented in mental health service use. In the UK, for instance, 18–25-year-old men make up less than 30% of referrals to psychological services, and similar patterns are seen globally.
The question is no longer whether young men are struggling, but why they’re not seeking help.
A new study reviewed twelve other studies on boys and young men in an attempt to understand why adolescent boys and young men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues, despite being at high risk for conditions like depression and anxiety.
Their goal was to identify the specific barriers and possible solutions to improve help-seeking in this group, a topic often overlooked in past research.
Here’s What Researchers Found
Young Men Are Missing from Services: Despite high suicide rates, adolescent boys and young men remain underrepresented in mental health care. Many problems start before age 18, making early intervention critical.
Masculine Norms and Self-Stigma Are Major Barriers:
Pressure to appear strong and independent discourages boys from seeking help.
Many view needing help as weakness or failure.
This barrier is even stronger for young Black men and others facing cultural pressures to appear resilient.
They Lack Basic Mental Health Information: Many young men don’t know how to recognize common issues like anxiety and depression, or when and where to seek help. Mental health is often seen as a private, shameful issue.
They Prefer Informal and Online Support:
Boys typically turn to friends, family, or online resources before professionals.
They see formal services as a last resort, often distrusting professionals or fearing judgment.
Online spaces offer anonymity and independence, but quality of information is a concern.