If one were to consider a segment of the population that would be least likely to seek care for their physical or mental health, many people’s minds would immediately jump to one particular group: men. Which makes the month of June all the more important as Men’s Health Month.

Men often ignore, disregard or hide issues regarding their health and are significantly less likely to seek help from a professional. This means that conditions like depression, anxiety and other mental illness amongst males are likely significantly underreported. Even with that reality, over six million men are diagnosed with depression each year and 20% will develop an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Men are three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol or drugs and represent 40% of those diagnosed with binge-eating disorder. Men are also four times more likely than women to die by suicide, accounting for 80% of all suicides.

Perhaps the first step in addressing mental health concerns within the male population is to understand the systemic challenges that prevent an open dialogue. For as much progress as is currently happening across the social landscape in the country, the reality is that the roots of patriarchal, toxic masculinity run deep and have proven difficult to displace. Too often, boys and men of all ages are taught that to be masculine is to be not just physically and mentally tough, but virtually invincible.

Boys and men are conditioned through television, movies, books, magazines, locker room banter and more to believe that massive muscles and absurd body standards are the bare minimum, admitting failure or showing any kind of perceived weakness like crying is unacceptable and complete self-reliance is the only way to remain a worthy man in the keen and watchful eye of society. It’s no wonder that seeking help from a therapist or having a candid conversation with a spouse or friend about emotional challenges is often not even on the radar or in the realm of possibility for many men.

This highlights why men may not exhibit some stereotypical symptoms of mental illness like expressing sadness, feelings of worthlessness or excessive fear. Instead, men are more likely to show signs like increased irritability or anger, fatigue or a loss of interest in work or hobbies. It can be especially helpful for men to focus on things like maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol and drugs, staying involved in hobbies and staying connected to a social support system.

In the end, it is perhaps necessary to deconstruct and rebuild the image of what it means to be a man in our society, including reframing the meaning of stereotypically masculine concepts like strength, bravery and courage. These characteristics no longer need to be inextricably tied to emotional suppression, reluctance to talking about problems or an over-inflated sense of pride and ego. Instead, just as with all individuals regardless of gender, there is strength in authenticity, bravery in vulnerability and courage in the willingness to talk, listen and seek help from others.

For men reading this, I challenge and encourage you to take the bold steps toward having open, honest dialogue about your mental health and possibly even talking with a therapist. For everyone, including men, I encourage you to provide a safe space for the boys and men in your lives to begin living more authentically and vulnerably when it comes to their mental health. It might just save someone’s life and it most certainly will help further the progress we’re all hoping to make individually and together.