Recent reports highlight that today’s college students face increasing mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and suicidal thoughts, which can adversely affect their academic success and their ability to complete their degrees.
While male students tend to report fewer mental health challenges than their female or nonbinary peers, they often hold negative views of seeking help, associating masculinity with traits like emotional stoicism, independence, and toughness.
Colleges and universities can help male students overcome these barriers by normalizing conversations about mental health, fostering role models, and offering holistic support services.
Male Students and Mental Health
In 2022, male students represented 44% of all 18- to 24-year-old college students, a three-point decline from 2011, according to the Pew Research Center. A separate Pew study found that young men were less likely than young women to rely on their parents for emotional support (27% vs. 35%) and less likely to maintain regular communication with them.
Loneliness is another growing health concern, with many young people reporting a lack of companionship and social isolation. Attention has turned to male loneliness, as a significant number of men report having no close friends.
Addressing Barriers to Mental Health Care
Efforts to retain male students in higher education often focus on building community and promoting a sense of belonging. One common strategy is to create informal, supportive environments where young men can connect, such as barbershop-style spaces for young men of color. These spaces provide opportunities for vulnerability and seeking help.
A May 2024 Student Voice survey found that male students reported better mental health compared to their female and nonbinary peers, with 49% saying their mental health was good or excellent, compared to 40% of female students and 18% of nonbinary students. Moreover, male students were more likely to rate their overall well-being (57%), self-care ability (64%), and stress management (50%) as good or excellent.
Social Learning and Masculinity
Kurt Michael, senior clinical adviser at the Jed Foundation, explains that social learning theory offers a useful framework for understanding the challenges surrounding male mental health. According to this theory, people are more likely to imitate behaviors they observe in others, especially when they perceive those models as similar to themselves.
In today’s culture, dominant stereotypes of hypermasculine values—such as emotional suppression—can make it more difficult for young men to express their emotions and seek help. Michael suggests that college institutions can help break these stereotypes and foster healthier behaviors.
Practical Approaches to Address Mental Health Needs
Raise Up Role Models: Promoting positive role models who display empathy, openness, and emotional intelligence can encourage male students to adopt similar behaviors.
Encourage Reflection and Agency: Allowing students to reflect on their behavior can empower them to make healthier decisions, compared to using punitive measures.
Introduce Preventative Care: Educating students on basic wellness practices—such as sleep hygiene, physical activity, and nutrition—can prevent mental health challenges before they arise.
Look Beyond the Surface: Male students may mask emotional distress with behaviors like substance misuse or aggression. It’s important for practitioners to probe deeper and address underlying issues, rather than focusing solely on obvious signs of distress.
Holistic Health Resources: Popular culture often focuses on physical appearance or sexual performance when discussing men’s health, which can isolate them from seeking support for emotional health. Colleges can offer specialized mental health resources for men, ensuring that mental and emotional health is prioritized.
Embed Counselors on Campus: Integrating mental health therapists into residence halls can normalize help-seeking behaviors, making support more accessible to all students and reducing stigmas around mental health.
By implementing these strategies, colleges can help male students feel more comfortable discussing mental health, ultimately fostering a campus culture where seeking help is not only accepted but encouraged.
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