The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) have warned that men and boys are being let down by mental health services that are not designed with their needs in mind, leaving many struggling in silence.
They make the claim in a response to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on men’s health strategy, which they published this week.
They point out that men often experience mental distress differently from women – with symptoms such as anger, risk-taking and substance misuse being more common. Yet many services remain feminised’ in design, inaccessible or unwelcoming to men. Fewer than half of men with poor mental health seek professional help and those who do are less likely to be referred to talking therapies compared to women.
The report points to a rise in men presenting with depression, with therapists across the UK noting an increase in male patients over the past year. While encouraging, it is feared this may also mask a wider rise in distress that is going unaddressed.
To close the gap, the BACP call for services to be designed with men and boys at the table. They suggest greater male representation in counselling and psychotherapy, more community-based programmes linked to activities such as sport or hobbies and the use of gender-sensitive health messaging that connects with men rather than alienates them.
Public health measures are also critical. Poverty, housing insecurity, unemployment and substance misuse are all strongly linked to poor mental health, particularly for men in deprived communities. Deaths of despair – including suicide and drug-related deaths – are five times higher among men in deprived areas than in wealthier ones. Tackling these underlying socioeconomic challenges, they argue, must be a priority for government.
The findings also draw attention to groups facing particular risks. Black men are disproportionately affected by racial bias and distrust in the health system, while gay, bisexual and transgender men experience higher rates of poor mental health due to stigma and discrimination. Tailored approaches that recognise these intersecting challenges are urgently needed.
Examples of promising practice already exist, such as ‘Men’s Sheds’ projects where men can share skills and social connection while talking about their wellbeing, or peer-led support embedded in trusted community groups. But the report warns these initiatives are often short-term and reliant on insecure funding, limiting their long-term impact.
Martin Bell, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: ‘Our evidence shows that men and boys experience mental distress differently and are exposed to different risk factors compared to women and girls.
‘Evidence shows men tend to engage only at crisis points, not during early, preventable phases of distress. If showing emotional vulnerability and asking for help were destigmatised, this could make accessing support more socially acceptable for men and prevent unnecessary suffering.
‘While it’s encouraging that more men are accessing support, we’re concerned that a larger proportion still feel unable to do so , and an increase in help-seeking may disguise a significant rise in mental distress among men and boys.
‘We believe that having more men working in mental health professions, along with commissioning, designing, delivering and evaluating services in partnership with men and boys with lived experience of poor mental health – would help normalise and encourage men to talk openly about their mental health. It’s vital that mental health services understand men and boys’ needs can be different.’
The full response can be read here.
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