Supporting Men’s Mental Health: 9+ Insights to Break Stigma and Build Connection

3. Therapy Needs a Makeover — and We Can Help

Ethan makes an important point: many men avoid therapy because they don’t like how it’s been “sold” to them.

Ethan says:

Why aren’t we getting men into therapy? It’s because the marketing in what men conceptualize and think of when they hear therapy kind of sucks right now.

He points to campaigns like Man Therapy, which use humor and relatable imagery — like “A mustache is no place to hide your emotions” or “Never ignore your mind’s check engine light” — to make mental health care approachable and less intimidating.

We all have a role in this rebranding. Whether you’re a therapist, a friend, or a loved one, the language you use matters.

Ways to help reshape the narrative:

• Frame therapy as a strength, not a sign of weakness.
• Highlight practical, goal-oriented approaches (more on that below!).
• Celebrate men who share their stories — like Ethan — as role models, not exceptions.

4. Focus on Actionable Behaviors, Not Just Emotions

For some men, the idea of sitting face-to-face in a therapy room talking about feelings is daunting. Ethan adapts his therapeutic approach by starting with behavioral change — something concrete and measurable.

He uses tools like the Habit Share app (which he emphasizes he has no affiliation with) to help clients track daily habits and build momentum.

Ethan says:

You start to acknowledge that your thoughts are influencing you, affecting you — and it’s done through a rebranding and communication style that says, ‘Hey, we’re doing therapy right now, and it’s not hurting you.’

By focusing on behaviors — eating well, exercising, maintaining routines — Ethan helps clients strengthen their mental health in a way that feels tangible and nonthreatening.

Practical tip: Focus first on what you do, and let deeper emotional insights follow naturally over time.

5. Mind the Core Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air

In moments of darkness or overwhelm, it’s easy to neglect the basics — but those basics are the foundation of well-being. Ethan uses the metaphor of the four elements to help his clients remember what matters most:

• Earth → Eating (nourish your body)
• Water → Hydration (stay hydrated)
• Fire → Movement (get moving, exercise)
• Air → Breathing (practice calm, meditate, pray)

Ethan says:

The first step to making it better is taking care of the things that sustain your life. In Maslow’s hierarchy, take care of your basic needs first. Even when they’re in a heightened state, they can come back to those four.

These simple, grounding checks can make all the difference when someone feels untethered or overwhelmed.

Encouraging reminder: You don’t have to solve everything today. Start with the basics, and build from there.

6. Know There’s a Time for Crisis Management — and a Time for Growth

Ethan explains that therapy often unfolds in two phases:

1. Crisis Management — When someone is struggling acutely (suicidal thoughts, intense depression), the focus is on stabilizing and protecting life.
2. Exploration and Growth — Once stability returns, deeper work begins: exploring strengths, reflecting on identity, setting goals, and imagining a hopeful future.

Ethan says:

Once you’re not putting out fires, you can start to explore … then you start to learn some of your strengths, weaknesses, passions.

This compassionate framing reassures us that needing crisis help is not failure — it’s the first courageous step on a longer, richer journey.

7. Listening is an Act of Love

One of Ethan’s most profound observations is that many young men come to therapy because they don’t have anyone else who truly listens.

Ethan says:

It’s amazing how with just enough persistent, patient listening, you can get them to come out of their shell.

If you have a man in your life who’s struggling, remember: you don’t need to fix him. You don’t need to lecture or advise. You just need to show up, stay curious, and hold space.

Loving ways to listen:

• Ask open-ended questions.
• Resist the urge to immediately problem-solve.
• Offer reassurance: “You might stumble, but it’s not the end.”

8. Reimagine How We Invite Men Into Support

It’s common to hear people say things like “Dude, you need therapy,” — but that kind of framing can feel shaming or accusatory. Carly highlights how shifting the invitation can make all the difference.

Instead of confronting, try:

• “Hey, you seem overwhelmed. Do you have someone you can talk to?”
• “You’ve been carrying a lot lately — want help finding support?”

As Carly McCollow says:

Even if we change our tone, the voice inside that person’s head might still hear judgment. But if we frame it as concern and care, it’s easier to accept.

The goal isn’t to push people into therapy — it’s to remind them they deserve care, connection, and support.

9. Create Shoulder-to-Shoulder Spaces

Direct, eye-to-eye conversations can feel intimidating — especially when emotions are involved. Ethan and Carly both emphasize the power of shoulder-to-shoulder connection:

Terry McGuire says:

It’s easier to talk when you’re not looking eye to eye … if you’re in the car, or shooting hoops, or walking together.

These parallel spaces lower defenses and make vulnerability feel safer.

Examples:

• Going for a walk together.
• Joining a dads’ “stroller club.”
• Sharing a drive, or doing an activity side by side.

These aren’t just casual hangouts — they’re quiet invitations to share, support, and remind someone they’re not alone.

+1 Bonus: Remember, Everyone Needs Support During Life Transitions

Job loss, relationship changes, illness, parenthood — these life transitions can shake even the most grounded people. Therapy and community support aren’t just for “crisis” moments; they’re tools we can all lean on to navigate life’s ups and downs.

Terry says:

You don’t have to be embarrassed. Therapists have heard it before … they hear regularly from people who have really hard times with all kinds of things.

Let’s break the chain: when we get support for ourselves, we ripple that healing outward to the people we love.

Final Reflections on Men’s Mental Health

This episode of Giving Voice to Depression offers a deeply hopeful and uplifting reminder that meaningful change is not only possible on the individual level, but also across families, communities, and our broader culture. By opening up conversations that challenge outdated ideas about masculinity, strength, and emotional resilience, we begin to create a society where mental health struggles are met with understanding, not judgment.

As Terry so thoughtfully says, these are not merely “difficult” or “uncomfortable” conversations — they are necessary ones. When we rethink how we present therapy, when we invite men into spaces of support with genuine compassion, and when we work intentionally to make vulnerability feel safe rather than shameful, we take important steps toward building a world where no one feels they must suffer silently or carry their burdens alone.

If you or someone you care about is navigating mental health challenges, please remember this: you don’t have to walk this road in isolation. There are caring people ready to listen, to stand beside you, and to remind you — again and again — that healing is not only possible, but that you are deserving of it. You are worth the care, the support, and the hope that recovery can bring.