What is Men’s Mental Health Month?

Discover what Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is all about and how you can join the movement to support men’s mental well-being this June.

Written by the HeadsUpGuys Team

Posted June 5, 2024. Updated May 16, 2025.

June hosts several overlapping health campaigns - but they all share a common goal: improving men’s health.

June is a great time to spotlight the health challenges men face—and to encourage everyone to take proactive steps toward better well-being.

For too long, conversations around men’s health, especially mental health, have been pushed aside, despite high male suicide rates. This is finally starting to change.

The most widely recognized international initiative is Men’s Health Week, observed during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day, in countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and India.

In North America, awareness efforts have expanded into Men’s Health Month, recognized throughout June in the U.S. and more recently in Canada.

Though there’s no official designation for Men’s Mental Health Month (or Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month) this phrasing’s growing popularity signals a powerful cultural shift – more men, and those who care about them, are speaking openly, challenging stigma, and taking action to support mental wellness.

At HeadsUpGuys, we’re proud to be part of this change, highlighting mental health as a key component of men’s overall health, and helping men take steps towards healthier, more connected lives.

12 Most Common Men’s Mental Health Issues | How to Support a Man

Get Involved this June

We’re participating in Men’s Health Month with our Step Up For Him campaign.

Step Up For Him Graphic

Join us from June 1–15 for Step Up For Him –  a movement to raise awareness and support men’s mental health through action.

Walk. Run. Ride. Hike. Connect.

Learn More

From a Week to a Movement: The Rise of Men’s Health Month

So, how did all these campaigns get started and how did mental health become part of the conversation? Here’s a quick history of how Men’s Health Week and Month have grown over the years.

  • 1994: U.S. Congress officially establishes a National Men’s Health Week, led by the Men’s Health Network, to raise awareness about preventable health issues and encourage early detection.
  • Late 1990s: The idea expands into Men’s Health Month, broadening the scope for outreach and advocacy throughout June.
  • Early 2000s: Men’s Health Week gains global recognition, adopted by countries including Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.
  • 2010s: The UK’s Men’s Health Forum launches large-scale campaigns around themes like mental health and diabetes prevention.
  • Early 2000s – Through 2020s: Terms like “Men’s Mental Health Month” gain traction, reflecting a growing awareness of men’s mental health needs.
  • Mid 2010s – Through 2020s: The Tuesday of Men’s Health Week is promoted as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day within Canadian cities and now nationally by mental health organizations.

Why Men’s Health Month?

Men’s Health Month is more than just a week of awareness—it’s a catalyst for change. It’s also an opportunity for men to openly discuss health challenges, whether mental or physical, and to break the silence that often surrounds them. 

By understanding the common health issues men face and taking proactive steps to address them, we can improve not only our own lives but also the lives of our families and communities.

Here are some of the most common health issues affecting men today:

1. Heart Disease

According to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death among men.[1] High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are significant risk factors for developing heart disease. 

2. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with about one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetime.[2] Prostate cancer is the second-leading cancer-related cause of death in the US, behind only lung cancer. About 1 in 44 men will die of prostate cancer.

Early detection is crucial for successful treatment. 

3. Mental Health

Mental health is often overlooked in men due to societal pressures and stigma. Depression, anxiety, and stress can have severe impacts on overall health. About 1 in 5 experience a mental health problem each year.[3]

For more detailed information on men’s mental health, visit our Men’s Mental Health page.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes affects about 15% of men, who are slightly more prone to its development than women.[4]

5. Obesity

Obesity can lead to a multitude of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and joint issues. 

The worldwide obesity rate has nearly doubled since 1980. The World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2030, one in five women and one in seven men will have severe obesity.[5]

6. Respiratory Diseases

Men are more likely than women to smoke, and are thus more likely to develop respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which most commonly presents as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.[6] COPD affects about 16 million Americans.[7]

7. Liver Disease

Liver disease, often caused by excessive alcohol consumption or viral infections, can be life-threatening.

Men account for nearly 70 percent of deaths by alcohol-related liver disease (ALD).[8]

8. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a sign of underlying health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or even mental health issues like anxiety & depression. Approximately 30 million men in the United States are affected by ED.[9]

9. Testicular Cancer

Approximately 1 in 250 men will develop testicular cancer at some point in their lifetime.[10]

Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Men are encouraged to perform regular testicular self-exams and report any abnormalities to their healthcare provider promptly.

HeadsUpGuys Men’s Health Week Campaigns

We’ve shown our commitment to Men’s Health Week since launching in 2015. 

At HeadsUpGuys, we recognize Men’s Health Month as an opportunity to celebrate everyone who identifies as a man. We aim to support the broader collective of men, acknowledging physical and mental health issues specific to men and the shared social experiences that can positively or negatively affect all men’s well-being.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Men and Heart Disease”.
  2. American Cancer Society. “Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer.”
  3. Mental Health America. “Quick Facts and Statistics About Mental Health“
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “National Diabetes Statistics Report”
  5. Forbes. “Obesity Statistics And Facts In 2024”
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. ”Are there gender differences in tobacco smoking?”
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “COPD”
  8. University of Michigan Health “Alcohol Related Liver Disease”
  9. Harvard Health Publishing (HHP). “Erectile Dysfunction – ED”
  10.  American Cancer Society. “Key Statistics for Testicular Cancer”

Step Up For Him Campaign

Move for something that matters! Between June 1–15, walk, run, bike, or hike for men's mental health. ​

​Let's Step Up for our dads, brothers, partners, sons, uncles, friends, co-workers — and ourselves.

Step Up For Him