Men's mental health: it's okay to talk

Why men's mental health matters

Mental health problems affect men as much as women - but men are far less likely to seek support. In the UK:

• Men account for three in every four suicides
• Men are less likely to be diagnosed with common conditions like depression and anxiety, partly because the signs can look different - and partly because many men don't seek help until things have reached a crisis
• Only around one in eight men with a mental health problem is currently receiving any treatment

In the automotive industry, where the workforce is predominantly male and the culture often prizes toughness and getting on with it, these patterns are even more pronounced. Ben's 2025 Annual Health & Wellbeing Survey found that 57% of automotive workers reported stress as a top concern, 44% reported anxiety, and 33% reported feelings of depression - yet many people in the sector are still reluctant to reach out.

Read the full 2025 survey findings

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How mental health can show up differently in men

Depression, anxiety and stress don't always look the way you might expect - particularly in men. Rather than sadness or tearfulness, the signs are often:

• Irritability, short temper or anger that feels out of proportion
• Withdrawing from friends, family or colleagues - going quiet, cancelling plans
• Throwing yourself into work - overworking as a way of avoiding difficult feelings
• Drinking more than usual, or using other substances to switch off
• Physical symptoms with no obvious cause - persistent headaches, back pain, disturbed sleep, low energy
• Risk-taking behaviour - driving too fast, gambling, taking unnecessary chances
• Feeling numb, detached or like you're just going through the motions
• Struggling to concentrate or make decisions at work
• Losing interest in things you previously enjoyed - sport, hobbies, socialising

Many men experience these things for months, even years, without connecting them to their mental health. If several of these feel familiar, it's worth paying attention.

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Common challenges men face

Work pressure and identity

For many men, work is central to how they see themselves. When the job is stressful, when staffing is short, when targets keep moving - it doesn't just feel like a bad day at work. It can start to feel like a threat to something more fundamental. Stress is the most commonly reported issue across the entire automotive industry.

Long hours and work-life balance

Just 46% of automotive workers say they have a good work-life balance, compared with 62% of workers in other sectors. Long hours were reported as a stress driver by 36% of the industry in 2025 - up nine percentage points in a single year. When there's no real downtime, the mental load doesn't get a chance to clear.

Financial pressure

Money worries and poor mental health feed each other - and the cost of living has made that worse for many people in the industry. Worry about debt, budgeting and financial stress is a significant but often unspoken part of what's driving poor mental health across the sector.

Difficulty talking about it

Many men have grown up with the message, explicit or not, that emotional struggles should be managed privately. Talking about how you're feeling can seem unnecessary, self-indulgent, or even risky in a workplace where appearing capable matters. That reluctance is understandable. It's also one of the main reasons men's mental health tends to go unaddressed for longer than it needs to.

Ben's services are completely confidential. What you share with us does not go to your employer, your GP, or anyone else without your consent.

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Getting support that actually works for you

There's no single right way to get help - and you don't need a diagnosis or a clear sense of what's wrong before you reach out. Ben offers a range of options, so you can start in a way that feels manageable.

Talk to someone

Call our free helpline: 08081 311 333 - day or night, someone is available to listen. You don't have to have a crisis to call. You can use the chat function if you'd rather not speak on the phone.

Work through it at your own pace

SilverCloud is a free, 24/7 digital mental health platform offering structured programmes for stress, anxiety, depression and sleep. It's based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and you can work through it on your phone, tablet or computer - privately, at any time. Use access code ben to get started.

One-to-one support

If you'd prefer to speak to someone face-to-face (or by phone/video), Ben can connect you with a trained counsellor or life coach - free of charge, no referral needed.

Not sure where to start?

Take our free mental health self-assessment - it takes around five minutes and gives you personalised guidance on the right support for you.

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Not a crisis - just not okay

You don't have to be at breaking point to reach out. In fact, the sooner you do, the easier things tend to be to turn around.

If you've been feeling off for a while - low energy, low mood, short-fused, going through the motions - that's worth taking seriously. Ben is here for the moments before crisis just as much as during one.

Related topics

• Stress and pressure - support for when it feels like too much
• Depression - understanding the signs and finding support
• Anxiety - what it is and how Ben can help
• Sleep - guidance for shift workers and those struggling to rest
• Burnout - recognising the warning signs before it's too late
• Money and mental health - support for financial stress
• Mental health tips - practical things that make a real difference