Unmasking Strength: The Truth Behind 'Boys Don’t Cry'

According to the event’s official website, the “Indian celebration of International Men’s Day (IMD) is by far the single biggest celebration by any country in the global village.” However, despite this men’s day receives significantly less recognition and visibility compared to the UN-recognised International Women’s Day. Celebrated annually on 19th November, IMD aims to promote men’s health and well-being, highlight positive male role models, and encourage the development of respectful and equitable gender relations.

From an early age, men are typically taught to hide their emotions, appear tough, and refrain from asking for help—behaviors that often extend into their professional lives. Dr Vibhuti Patel, former professor, Advanced Centre for Women's Studies, TISS, Deonar, said, "There is the burden of patriarchy. People are brought up in a certain way and told to be masculine. They will not take up menial jobs if they lose their respectable jobs."

These ingrained expectations can contribute to ongoing stress, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of isolation, particularly when combined with demanding work environments and few opportunities for emotional expression. Apart from this, in this corporate world, men often face a unique set of hidden challenges that significantly affect their mental well-being. Although discussions around mental well-being are becoming more common in the workplace, they tend to focus primarily on issues typically linked to women or broader employee stress, leaving men's specific concerns underrepresented and insufficiently addressed.

In many cases, men may face workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination but often refrain from reporting such experiences due to fears of being perceived as weak or not taken seriously. Moreover, challenges like job insecurity, work-life imbalance, and the societal expectation to serve as primary breadwinners contribute additional psychological pressure—factors that are frequently overlooked in conventional employee support frameworks.

It has been observed that in 2023, the suicide rate among males was approximately four times higher than that among females. Although men constitute around 50% of the population, they account for nearly 80% of all suicides, with age-adjusted rates per 100,000 standing at 22.7% for males and 5.9% for females (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Similarly, in India, an analysis by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Deonar, reveals that the suicide rate among men is 2.5 times higher than that among women. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need to address men’s mental health issues, which are often overlooked or stigmatized in both public discourse and institutional support systems.

It is essential for organizations to recognize these silent struggles for mental health and cultivate a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. This involves providing safe spaces for dialogue, offering gender-neutral counselling resources, and actively dismantling the stigma surrounding male vulnerability in professional settings. Therefore, proactive promotion of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), emphasizing confidentiality and inclusivity, is critical. further to support men’s mental well-being, organizations should launch awareness campaigns in the lead-up to Men’s Mental Health Day.

Use various communication channels within the organization—emails, newsletters, posters, and social media—to share information about the day, the importance of mental health for men, and available resources. Technology also offers innovative mental health solutions. For individuals who are uncomfortable discussing their struggles with another person—even through a helpline—AI-powered tools such as mental health chatbots can provide a private, non-judgmental space to express concerns and receive guidance.

These tools are emerging as valuable alternatives for those who prefer anonymous support or need immediate assistance outside regular hours. By integrating traditional support systems like EAPs with modern technological tools and fostering a culture of awareness and openness, organizations can play a pivotal role in addressing the mental health needs of all employees—especially those whose challenges have long gone unspoken.

The article has been authored by Dr. Pratibha Barik, Assistant Professor, The ICFAI University, Raipur (C.G). He can be reached at pratibha.barik@gmail.com