Honoring Fathers & Men’s Mental Health This Father’s Day

As we celebrate Father’s Day, we take time to appreciate the dads, grandfathers, uncles, and mentors who shape our lives with strength, dedication, and quiet love. But while we honor their impact, we must also shine a light on something too often overlooked: men’s mental health.

Fatherhood is a role that can be filled with pride and purpose, but it can also bring stress, anxiety, and emotional strain. This Father’s Day, let’s normalize support, conversation, and care for the emotional well-being of the men we love.

Men’s Mental Health: The Quiet Crisis

Behind many smiles and strong shoulders, many men are silently struggling. Consider these facts:

• Men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women in the U.S.

• Fewer than half of men experiencing anxiety or depression receive any treatment.

• About 1 in 5 men live with a mental health condition, yet they are far less likely than women to be diagnosed or seek help.

• Young men under 35 report the highest rates of loneliness, with 1 in 4 saying they feel isolated or unsupported.

And yet, the cultural script still tells men to “man up,” to “handle it on their own.” This stigma makes it hard for fathers—and all men—to access the help and support they need.

Mental Health Challenges in Fatherhood

While postpartum depression is often associated with mothers, research shows that about 10% of new fathers also experience symptoms of depression in the first 6 months after a baby is born. Sleep deprivation, life changes, and pressure to “hold it all together” can take a toll, especially when mental health is not openly discussed.

Fathers who struggle may not recognize the symptoms, or may feel ashamed to admit they're having a hard time. The result? Too many men are suffering in silence.

How to Support the Men in Your Life

Supporting men’s mental health doesn’t require grand gestures. Often, it starts with small, meaningful actions that send a clear message: You don’t have to carry this alone.

Here are a few ways to start:

• Ask, “How are you, really?”
  Go beyond surface-level check-ins. Be patient and willing to listen.

• Normalize emotional expression.
  Let the men in your life know that talking about feelings isn’t weak, it’s wise.

• Encourage connection.
  Suggest peer support groups, hobbies, or safe spaces like men’s groups or community meetups.

• Model vulnerability.
  If you’re in therapy or working on your own mental health, talk about it. It gives others permission to do the same.

• Support father-friendly policies.
  Push for paternity leave, flexible work hours, and other supports that allow dads to show up for their families and themselves.

• Offer your presence.
  Sometimes, just sitting next to someone or sending a thoughtful message is enough to open the door.

This Father’s Day, Let’s Talk About It

If you're a dad: your feelings matter. You don’t have to pretend to be okay when you’re not. You don’t have to carry everything alone. Strength isn’t about staying silent, it’s about being real.

If you love a father, husband, brother, or friend: let them know you see them, not just as providers, protectors, or problem-solvers, but as full humans with emotional needs.

Let’s celebrate Father’s Day with compassion, connection, and courage—the courage to check in, speak up, and care deeply for the men who care so deeply for us.

If you or someone you love is struggling, we are here to help! Book a session here.

Thank you for being here and Happy Father’s Day!