International Men's Health Day blog: A Brief Discussion on Men, Trauma and Suicide

International Men's Day is marked on 19 November each year, with the aims of making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys, raising awareness and funds for charities and promoting positive conversations about masculinity. 

In this blog, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, David Boyda, provides a brief discussion on men, trauma and suicide.

When we discuss men’s mental health, society often focuses on visible signs: stoicism, moments of emotional breakdown, or the tragic statistics of male suicide. In the UK in 2023, there were approximately 5,641 suicides, with men disproportionately affected - 4,179 cases, or 74.1% of the total. But what about the struggles we don’t see? Beneath the surface, many men carry hidden traumas - experiences that profoundly shape their identity, relationships, and mental health.

Recently, I analysed data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007 (APMS 2007), a comprehensive survey conducted by the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Leicester. Using Multigroup Latent Class Analysis (MGLCA) on a sample of 7,403 individuals aged 16 and older, stratified by gender, I identified distinct trauma patterns. The trauma indicators spanned both childhood and adult experiences and included:

• Sexual violence before the age of 16
• Severe physical abuse by a caregiver
• Witnessing violence at home during childhood
• Neglect
• Sexual violence after 16
• Intimate partner violence (IPV)
• Lack of social and familial support

I found that males endorsed certain types of trauma at higher rates compared to females. Specifically, men were more likely to report experiences related to physical abuse and witnessing violence during childhood. I was surprised to find the emergence of a subgroup of men with high endorsement of sexual violence before age 16 - 55% higher than the corresponding rate for females. Females on the other hand, tended to show higher rates of trauma related to adult experiences, such as sexual violence after 16 and IPV. These findings reveal that while both genders face significant trauma, the type and timing of these experiences often differ, highlighting unique vulnerabilities that deserve recognition.

Despite these statistics, many men suffer in silence, further impacting their mental health. While societal expectations and cultural norms play a role, recent studies suggest other nuanced factors. For example, a 2019 Movember survey found that 41% of men regretted opening up due to feeling dismissed or disrespected, and research by Russ et al. (2015) showed that confidentiality concerns also deter men from sharing, as some fear their words might later be used against them.

Another overlooked factor is the growing distrust some men feel toward mental health professionals, particularly following the controversy around the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines in 2019 regarding how psychologists should understand and address the mental health needs of males. Barry (2023) also found that men who believe suppressing their emotions is due to societal expectations of masculinity and as such, reported a lower sense of well-being, highlighting the need for more supportive approaches to men’s mental health.

Men’s silence does not imply an absence of pain. Guilt and shame are powerful emotions, and the fear of being perceived as weak or incompetent often leads men to suppress their pain and ignore their own needs - significant barriers to seeking support. The hidden nature of men’s trauma warrants a response grounded in empathy and understanding. This is not about excusing behaviours that may arise from unresolved trauma but about recognizing where such behaviours stem from and seeking healthier, more supportive ways to address them.

Labels like "toxic masculinity" are not constructive, in fact it is harmful and stigmatising, and it’s worth reflecting on how society would react if similar terms were applied to other social groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, or religious and ethnic communities. The answer is clear: it would be considered offensive and dismissive, yet somehow the term “toxic” is reserved solely for men and boys (Seager & Barry, 2019).

Trauma significantly contributes to poorer mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and is often a contributing factor in the history of men who choose to die by suicide. While trauma alone does not account for all mental health challenges, its impact is substantial and often overlooked. It’s time to move away from stigmatising labels, foster open discussions grounded in understanding and compassion, and seek out and dismantle whatever barriers that prevent men from seeking the help they need. Only then, can we begin to address the complex issue of men, mental health and suicide in a truly meaningful way.

About me:
I am a senior lecturer in psychology with a focused interest in lifespan trauma, mental health, and suicide. One of my primary research areas explores the complex issues surrounding men and mental health.

References

Seager, M., & Barry, J. A. (2019). The Palgrave Handbook of Male Psychology and Mental Health.

Barry, J. (2023). The belief that masculinity has a negative influence on one’s behaviour is related to reduced mental well-being. International Journal of Health Sciences, 17(4), 29.

Ipsos Public Affairs. (2019). Movember Masculinity & Opening Up Report 08.10.19 FINAL. https://cdn.movember.com/uploads/images/2012/News/UK%20IRE%20ZA/Movember%20Masculinity%20%26%20Opening%20Up%20Report%2008.10.19%20FINAL.pdf

Russ, S., Ellam-Dyson, V., Seager, M., & Barry, J. (2015). ‘I Hate Generalising, But…’. Coaches’ Views on Differences in Treatment Style for Male and Female Clients. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3837841