Boys Do Cry: Let’s Talk About Men’s Mental Health
- kira Bennett
- May 13
- 3 min read
Boys Do Cry: Let’s Talk About Men’s Mental Health
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: boys have feelings. Wild concept, right? Somewhere between “don’t cry” and “man up,” society decided men are made of stone, not soul. But plot twist — they’re human too. And those emotions society told them to bottle up? Still in there. And boy, do they need to come out.
The Man Myth
For decades (okay, centuries), the ideal man was painted as tough, silent, and emotionally bulletproof. Crying was for girls, talking about your problems was weak, and the phrase “suck it up” was practically a rite of passage. Even now, phrases like “grow a pair” get tossed around like confetti at a frat party, reinforcing the idea that emotional expression is something to be ashamed of.
It’s not just outdated — it’s dangerous.
When boys grow up believing they shouldn’t feel, they become men who can’t deal. Not because they’re incapable, but because they were never taught how. Imagine trying to fix a car without ever being shown what a wrench is. That’s what emotional repression looks like. It’s silent, subtle, and seriously damaging.
The Stats Are Still Scary
Let’s get a little real for a second. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among Men. In many countries, men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than women. And yet, they’re far less likely to seek help for mental health issues. See the problem?
It's not because men are inherently more vulnerable — it's because they're often less supported in talking about what they're going through. Mental health struggles don’t discriminate, but the stigma sure does.
The Pressure Cooker
Men are often told they need to provide, protect, perform — all while pretending they're totally fine. There’s pressure to be successful, emotionally steady, and strong (but not too strong, or you're aggressive). Vulnerability? That’s seen as weakness. And weakness? Unacceptable.
This toxic cycle forces many men into silence. They might feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or just “off,” but say nothing. Instead, they self-isolate, distract themselves, or worse, turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Here’s the thing — feelings don’t go away just because you ignore them. They just get louder in the background, like that annoying alarm you keep snoozing. Eventually, it becomes impossible to ignore. And without support or safe spaces, some men reach a point of crisis.
Changing the Script
The good news? Things are starting to shift. More and more men are opening up — from celebrities to the guy next door — and that’s huge. When a professional athlete talks about therapy, or your mate says he's struggling, it permits others to speak up too.
Mental health isn’t a gendered issue. It’s a human one.
We need to keep challenging outdated narratives. Tell boys it’s okay to cry. Show men that asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure. And start treating mental health the same way we treat physical health — without shame.
Because when we talk, we heal. When we listen, we help. And when we let people feel, we give them the freedom to be fully, beautifully human.
Let's Normalise This
So, here’s a little reminder: If you’re a man struggling right now, you are not alone. You’re not weak, or broken, or less of a man. You’re just a person going through something tough, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Talk to someone. Friend, therapist, dog — doesn’t matter who. What matters is that you don’t keep it all locked up. Because boys do cry. Boys do feel. And boys/ men, just like everyone else, deserve support, love, and healing.
Let’s make that the new normal.
And because I still Love Matt
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