June is Men’s Mental Health Month — a powerful reminder that mental wellness isn’t a gendered issue but a human one. Yet for too long, men have been conditioned to “tough it out,” to suppress rather than express, to isolate rather than seek help. The result? Millions of men suffer in silence.
With Father’s Day having just passed recently and us witnessing the smile on my husband’s face from opening up the gifts we got him, it made me think about the importance of showing our guys love and honoring them every chance we get.
Whether it’s your brother, partner, father, friend, or coworker, your support can be a lifeline. Here are five meaningful ways to support a man’s mental health this month and every day and beyond.
1. Create a Safe Space for Honest Conversations
The first step is often the hardest: getting a man to open up. Make it easier by being present without pressuring. Let him know you’re a judgment-free zone. Ask how he’s really doing — and mean it. Sometimes, just having someone listen without trying to fix everything can make all the difference.
My husband Jeff is a proud man, which I love about him, and as a result, respect and understanding go a long way. He won’t respond to someone trying to force him to open up, but showing that you’re receptive to him, on his own time, and in the way in which he feels comfortable, will resonate with him the most. It’s key to understand what makes the guys in your lives tick and be open to working around that.
Try this: Instead of “Are you okay?” ask “How have you really been feeling lately?” Then let silence hold space. Give it time and understand it may take a few tries before he opens up fully.
2. Challenge Toxic Masculinity — Gently and Consistently
The idea that men have to be stoic, unemotional, or constantly “strong” is damaging. Speak up when you hear or see messaging that reinforces these harmful stereotypes. Help normalize vulnerability by modeling it yourself and affirming that mental health is not a weakness.
Having had an incredible relationship with my dad, brothers, husband, and now son, I’ve been acutely aware of the messaging that’s often pushed on what makes a man a “real” one.
Although I do support men fully embracing their masculinity, and I will encourage my son to do so, there is a balance between that and perpetuating the harmful narrative that “boys can’t have any emotions.”
A practical behavior we can do is remind the guys in our lives that emotions don’t make them less of a man. They make them human. Full stop.
3. Encourage Professional Help Without Shame
Therapy is not a last resort — it’s an act of strength. Help break the stigma by encouraging the men in your life to seek professional support. Share mental health resources, offer to help with finding a therapist, or go with them to an appointment if needed.
Although this reluctance for therapy and/or just talking through emotions is prevalent with a lot of men in general, one could argue it’s even worse amongst Black men. It’s no secret that a lot of the Black community has historically placed a stigma surrounding mental health as some sort of weakness, lack of willpower, or lack of faith for men who seek out help. Couple that with the fact that there is often a mistrust for healthcare providers within the Black community, it can be very difficult for us to get our men to seek professional help without shame.
But that doesn’t mean we should stop trying.
Pro Tip: Lead by example. If you’re in therapy or have tried it, share that. It can remove the “otherness” around mental health care.
4. Support Healthy Habits That Promote Well-Being
Mental health is closely linked to lifestyle. Help the men in your life take care of their minds by supporting their bodies, too. Encourage movement, good nutrition, rest, and mindfulness practices.
In an effort to be supportive, those small gestures matter. You can take the lead in cooking delicious and nutritious meals, help coordinate hangouts with his friends for the recharge he needs, invite him for a walk, or you can schedule a “man spa/man cigar lounge day” for him to enjoy. The key is to know your partner & what his preferences are so you can tailor these practices to their needs and desires.
Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated — just consistent.
5. Celebrate Men Who Show Up for Their Mental Health
Positive reinforcement matters. Celebrate when a man sets boundaries, takes a mental health day, or opens up emotionally. Affirm his growth, and let him know it’s seen and appreciated. It truly does go a long way.
Why it works: Affirmation combats shame. It helps build new mental pathways that say, “This is not only okay — this is powerful.”
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Men’s Mental Health Month is about more than awareness — it’s about action. Every conversation, every check-in, and every gentle nudge toward wellness adds up. The truth is, you don’t need to be an expert to support someone; you just need to show up with care, compassion, and commitment.
One of the strongest things any man can do is ask for help, and the best thing we can do is be there when he does. Ladies, speaking from experience, the small gestures truly do go a long way. Our men deserve to be honored, cherished, and celebrated every chance we get.
So, as we end Men’s Mental Health Month, we must make space to prioritize the mental well-being of the guys in our lives. Black men, in particular, often have additional layers that they often need to navigate in our society, and one thing I’m going to do is uplift them in any way I can.
Too often, strength is mistaken for silence, but growth and healing start with honest conversation, support, and care.
Guys, please never forget that your mind matters. Your story matters. You matter. And we need you.
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Dr. Tiffany Ofili Porter 