Men face significant gap in mental health treatment rates

Despite increasing openness regarding mental health, men continue to seek professional help at lower rates than women. Data from BetterHelp’s 2026 State of Stigma Report indicates that men and women report symptoms of anxiety and depression at nearly equal rates.

However, a gap in treatment persists. CDC data from 2021 through 2023 shows that only 33.2% of males with depression received counseling or therapy over a 12-month period, compared to 43% of females. Researchers suggest that cultural expectations regarding toughness, independence, and emotional control often discourage men from recognizing distress or asking for support.

Experts, including psychology professor Michael Addis of Clark University, note that these behaviors often begin in childhood as boys learn to manage emotional pain independently. While online therapy and public figures are working to normalize these conversations, barriers such as stigma, affordability, and provider availability remain.