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June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health challenges men face and encouraging conversations about emotional well-being. While mental health affects everyone, men often face unique pressures that can make it difficult to discuss their struggles or seek help.
According to the BYU-Idaho Wellness Center, students have access to a variety of resources designed to support emotional wellness, including counseling services, wellness education and self-help tools. These resources aim to help students develop healthy habits and improve their overall well-being.
Carson Hoffman, a senior social work major and shift coordinator at the BYU-Idaho Wellness Center, said Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month serves as an important reminder for men to speak openly about their mental health.
“I think Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is a nudge for men to speak up,” Hoffman said. “In Western culture, it’s very common for men to have the viewpoint of, ‘I’ve got to be tough, I’ve got to be the man, I have to be strong for the people around me.’”
Hoffman explained that many boys are not taught how to openly express emotions. As a result, many men grow up believing they should handle challenges on their own rather than seek support from others.
“It’s important that they have a space and an opportunity to open up,” Hoffman said.
BYU-Idaho Health Center offers care and support for students. Image credit: Addy Dyer
Among the most common mental health challenges men face are depression and loneliness. Hoffman said many men tie their self-worth to what they provide for others. When they feel unable to meet those expectations, it can negatively affect their self-esteem and emotional health.
“I think a lot of men suffer from loneliness and isolation,” Hoffman said. “Men generally have smaller and less deep social networks than women do.”
Those challenges can affect students on campus as well.
Michael Jones, a sophomore business major, said he experienced those pressures during his first semester at BYU-Idaho. Between classes, work responsibilities and social expectations, Michael Jones often felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything.
Like many male students, Jones initially kept those struggles to himself.
“I thought I should be able to handle it on my own,” Jones said.
Eventually, a friend encouraged Jones to visit the Counseling Center and seek support. Looking back, Jones said the experience changed his perspective on asking for help.
“That experience taught me that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness,” Jones said.
Hoffman said students facing similar challenges have several resources available to them. Through the Counseling Center, eligible students can receive up to 20 free counseling sessions during their academic career. The Counseling Center also offers individual counseling, group counseling and workshops focused on stress and anxiety management.
Students can also access Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), a free self-help resource available through their BYU-Idaho accounts. The Wellness Center provides one-on-one consultations where students can discuss emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellness goals.
“We enjoy helping students figure out where they are and where they want to be,” Hoffman said. “What simple health habits can we think about and implement to get you there?”
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the importance of creating environments where men feel comfortable discussing their mental health. By encouraging open conversations and connecting students with available resources, BYU-Idaho hopes to help students understand that seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a step toward better health and well-being.
For Jones, that lesson made all the difference.
As Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month continues, Jones encourages students to remember that they do not have to face challenges alone.