Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of organizations—alongside innovative HR leaders and culture champions—as they navigate how to better support the mental health and well-being of their people. And one thing continues to ring true: while every employee needs mental health support, the way they access and engage with it varies. 

For men in particular, stigma, cultural expectations, and showing external strength make it even harder. So this Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m inviting us all to pause and ask: 

Are we designing a mental health care ecosystem that meets everyone’s needs—including men?

Men’s mental health: A known, yet under-appreciated challenge

The data has been signaling a need for change:

• 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half will receive treatment (ADAA).
• Absenteeism linked to poor mental health costs U.S. employers an estimated $47.6 billion annually (Gallup). 

But numbers alone don’t capture the full story. At Headspace, our member data adds a human dimension: men are quietly struggling, even if they aren’t vocal about it. From our latest member census and assessments:

• 8 in 10 male members report feeling tired or low energy.
• Sleep disruption, restlessness, and worry are commonly reported.
• Younger men (ages 25-34) show high levels of anxiety related to performance and identity.
• Older men (ages 45-64) are more likely to report burnout symptoms like fatigue and disrupted sleep.

The issue isn’t just lack of need—it’s lack of access and engagement. Traditional approaches to mental health support often don’t meet men where they are. That’s why designing for ease of use and accessibility without stigma is essential.

How Headspace helps men engage with mental health support

At Headspace, we’ve learned that when mental health care is designed with personalization and access, more people engage—especially men.

Here’s what’s working:

• Mindfulness and meditation as a trusted starting point. Nearly half of men who use Headspace engage with meditation through the “Today” tab which recommends exercises for the day. It’s low-pressure, high-trust, discreet, and an easy way to integrate into a routine.
• AI companions to provide always-there support. From career stress to work-life balance, men using Headspace have been engaging with Ebb, our AI companion, to tackle life’s big and small moments. This has supported a consistent boost in emotional well-being, empowering men to navigate everyday challenges with greater confidence, ease, and clarity.
• Sleep content as a gateway into broader mental health support. For many men, sleep is the most common and most approachable entry point into mental health. Sleepcasts and wind-down exercises are consistently among the most-used tools by male Headspace members, offering a low-stigma way to engage with support. And that matters: sleep issues are often linked to deeper challenges like anxiety or burnout. By starting with sleep, members can naturally get connected to other forms of care, including therapy or coaching. In fact 62% of our members engage with more than one modality of care – reinforcing the power of having a comprehensive care system.
• Productivity and skill building content resonates. Courses on focus, performance, and building resilience are highly used by men—and often become the entry point to deeper care, like coaching or therapy. 

When mental health care feels practical, proactive, and self-directed, it’s not just more approachable—it becomes an on-ramp to lasting change.

What can HR and benefits leaders do to better support men?

We know many HR teams are doing a lot with limited time and resources. But there are small shifts that can drive big impact for men:

• Frame mental health through the lens of performance and daily life habits. When employees see support as a tool to help them succeed—not just something to “fix what’s broken”—they’re more likely to use it. For example, our Thrive as a Leader content collection can help your men build the skills to become more effective leaders and our mental strength training collection can take a performance based approach to taking care of your mind. 
• Leverage your benefits ecosystem. Sleep content, coaching, and AI-driven support (like Headspace’s companion Ebb) can serve as approachable entry points into broader care and help address loneliness. Framing coaching as a way to treat your mind in the same way you may treat your body resonates with many men. 
• Remove friction points. When an employee decides to seek help, access matters. At Headspace, members can connect with a therapist in under one day—or with a coach in two minutes with over 35+ specialties. 
• Lead with humanity. When male leaders or peers speak openly about using mental health resources, it helps normalize help-seeking and shifts culture. We need more men to be vulnerable in sharing their struggles openly instead of silently.
  
  

The most compassionate mental health care system built for every employee

At Headspace, we’ve built a comprehensive mental health system that supports every stage of need—from everyday stress to complex care. Our approach includes:

• Guided meditation and mindfulness tools
• Sleep and stress-reduction exercises
• Real-time mental health coaching
• Culturally responsive therapy and psychiatry
• Personalized support from Ebb, our AI mental health companion

And our outcomes speak for themselves:

• 83% of members improve in anxiety symptoms
• 85% see improvements in depression
• 32% experience less stress in 30 days
• +3 more productive and healthy days after 30 days of Headspace

This Month, Let’s Go Deeper Than Awareness

Let’s meet this moment with honesty and with heart.

Because the truth is, many men are suffering in silence.
Not because they don’t care.
But because they’ve been taught that strength means staying quiet. That showing up means pushing through. That asking for help means you’re not strong enough.

It’s time to rewrite that story.

Let’s build for the father working two jobs, awake at 1 AM with the weight of his family on his mind—not just another forgotten benefit buried in the intranet. Let’s support the recent grad anxious about his future and identify, who needs a starting point that feels purposeful. Let’s care for the executive who’s carrying more than he lets on—and doesn’t feel like there’s space to say, “I’m not okay.”

Because strength isn’t silence.
It’s choosing to care for yourself—even when no one else sees it.
It’s pausing to say your mind matters, to reflect, to seek care—not powering through.

At Headspace, we’re creating that care that fits into real lives. Care that’s easy to access, stigma-free, and built for the quiet moments men rarely talk about—but deeply need.

Because when men engage, everything shifts.

They show up better.
Lead better.
Live better.

That’s how we build healthier teams—and a culture where everyone can thrive.

Men need us now more than ever. Let’s not forget them.

Want to explore how Headspace can support a more inclusive, effective mental health care strategy for your organization? My team is here to help. Connect with us here.