Mental Health Awareness in Men

Chelsea Conner • June 16, 2025

Creating awareness to break the stigma on men's mental health concerns:

According to the ADAA, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly 1 in 10 men experience anxiety or depression, but less than half seek help. Statistically, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide than women. The research determines the reasoning behind this is due to men using methods that are more harmful, experience more impulsivity, and exhibit fewer warning signs.

Some warning signs of a decline in someone’s mental health can include:

-Agressiveness/irritability

-A “shorter fuse”/ impulsive behaviors

-A decline in changes in energy levels/mood

-A change in appetite (decrease or increase)

-Inadequate sleep

-A decline in concentration

-Increase worry or constant feeling of being on edge

-Self medication with substances

-Physical health impacts - aches, pains, digestive issues

-Isolation from peers/family

-Persistent feelings of hopelessness

-Decline in enjoyment in activities/hobbies

-Obsessive thoughts and rumination

-Thoughts about death/suicide

It is important that we are continuously working towards breaking the stigma with the "manning up” mentality to reduce the barrier of men seeking treatment. Therefore, knowing the warning signs can build awareness and result in providing treatment options sooner, which can include medication management, in-patient care, intensive outpatient care, and outpatient care. Mental health professionals available can range from psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, and social workers. Working with a professional that you feel secure, heard, and your needs are being met is significantly beneficial to the felt results of your treatment. Asking questions like these can be beneficial to deciding who would or is the right fit for you:

-Do I prefer a female or male provider?

-Does my provider’s schedule meet my schedule’s needs?

-Do I feel heard, comfortable, and seen when working with the provider?

-Do I feel like my provider is understanding my mental health needs?

-Have my symptoms improved since starting treatment?

-Have I learned strategies and coping skills to improve my quality of life?

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, here are some additional resources: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or you can message at 998lifeline.org. If there is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.

At Lexington Counseling and Psychiatry we are breaking the stigma that finding treatment is not seen as a weakness for men. Call our office at 859.338.0466 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers if you are ready to start your healing journey. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. We have been trusted mental health professionals in Central Kentucky for over 22 years!

Articles and Resources:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health

https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/mens-mental-health

https://www.aamc.org/news/men-and-mental-health-what-are-we-missing

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

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The Benefits of Therapy

By Chelsea Conner • September 8, 2025

The Benefits to Therapy and Why It Is Important to Seek out Help

How to Build Success When Recovering from Substance Use

By Chelsea Conner • August 14, 2025

Substance use is a growing health concern. 47.7 million Americans reported the use of illegal substances according to a study conducted in 2023 by The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. A Substance Use Disorder (SUD), defined by The American Psychiatric Association, is ‘a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.’ The American Psychiatric Association recognizes that someone who has a SUD has an intense urge to engage in any of the listed substances - alcohol, tobacco, or psychoactive substances that impact daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall health. Another term well known for SUD is addiction. There is no single cause for a SUD but rather, a combination of factors can contribute to its development. Self-medication, genetics, peer pressure, curiosity, performance enhancement, and medical use turned misuse can all lead to someone engaging in problem use with substances and even addiction. Another study conducted in 2023 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, showed that 70% of people who sought out treatment for substance abuse/misuse reported improvements to their overall health and functioning within the first year of treatment. There are several available options for treatment, including outpatient care, intensive outpatient care, and in-patient care treatment. It is also important to have a collaborative approach when it comes to treatment for a SUD to have the best outcome, which can include medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, peer support, AA/NA meetings, sponsor, and a healthy support system within interpersonal relationships. It's important to remember that addiction is not a moral failing, it's a complex medical condition that can affect anyone. Compassion, understanding, and proper treatment are essential to recovery and can lead to successful outcomes. Some treatment modalities that have shown success in therapy when treating SUD include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Contingency Management (CM), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), as well as a facilitated 12 step program and a trauma focused lens. Whether you're concerned about your own substance use or worried about a loved one, help is available and healing is possible! Call our office at 859.338.0466 to schedule an appointment to work with one of our providers to start your healing journey to recovery. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. We have been trusted mental health professionals in Central Kentucky for over 22 years! Articles and Resources: https://drugabusestatistics.org/ https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6175215/ https://www.pyramid-healthcare.com/blog/2019/02/12/self-medication-and-addiction/ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment