As part of our Movember focus on boys’ and young men’s mental health, stem4 surveyed 1,100 boys and young men, exploring their experiences with mental health. This stem4 survey found that fear of shame or feeling ‘weak’ is deterring many boys and young men from seeking help for mental health problems. The survey also shows that many do not receive support when they ask for it.

Over a third (37%) of boys and young men aged between 14 and 21 said they were currently experiencing mental health difficulties. As well, the survey found that almost half (46%) of respondents would not ask for help for a problem that was making them upset, anxious or depressed, “even if things got really bad.” When asked what was stopping them, 36% said they didn’t have the courage, 32% said they “don’t want to make a fuss” and 30% said they would feel weak or ashamed. A fifth (21%) worried that people would laugh or think less of them, and 14% said they would “feel less masculine.” Meanwhile, 15% said they don’t know how to ask for help.

Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and CEO and founder of stem4, the charity which works to prevent mental ill health in young people and teenagers, said: “We live in a culture that puts huge pressure on boys and young men to behave in particular ways, many of them damaging to their mental health. Our survey shows exactly why this is so damaging, with many suffering in silence, even when they’re approaching crisis point. If we’re going to tackle boys and young men’s mental health, we have to address the cultural blind spots to male mental health. It’s also time to start listening properly to boys and men, understand how they express their needs, and provide services that will benefit them.”

Read more about the findings in the full press release here.

To help parents better support boys and young men’s mental health, stem4 held a parents’ conference on Wednesday 17 November at 7pm. Read our tips for parents and carers, as well as boys and young men themselves, here.

In the wake of these findings and November heralding the most likely week for university drop out, we have also written an article specifically on what to do if you or someone you know is considering dropping out of university.