Mental Health, Men and Culture - How Do Sociocultural Constructions of Masculinities Relate to Men's

The key sociocultural barriers to men's help-seeking pertaining to masculinity norms were identified as self-reliance, difficulty in expressing emotions, and self-control. The wider community societal and cultural challenges to men's help-seeking and well-being were found to include economic insecurity, inequality, and limited health- and social-care provisions - especially for marginalized groups of men. However, there is also evidence to indicate that men are able to display vulnerability and seek help with trusted people (such as family members, peers, and specialists) and within trusted communities.

Policy considerations to improve men's help-seeking for mental health issues should include an awareness of the prevailing cultural norms of masculinity in diverse groups of men to provide effective, tailored interventions for mental health promotion.