Men's Mental Health: Breaking the Silence
This article is general information published by the practice of Dr. Sholeh Toobaei, Specialist Psychiatrist, Dubai. It has not yet been individually reviewed by a clinician and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Published: 1 September 2026.
Scope: This article is general information about men's mental health. It is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you are struggling with your mental health, a professional assessment can help.
The numbers are stark
Men die by suicide at 3–4 times the rate of women in most countries. In the UAE, while specific gender-disaggregated statistics are not publicly available, the global pattern holds: men account for approximately 75–80% of all suicides.
This is not because men are inherently more vulnerable to mental illness. In fact, women are diagnosed with depression and anxiety at roughly twice the rate of men. The disparity is not in who gets mentally ill — it is in who dies by suicide. And that disparity is driven by three factors: help-seeking behaviour, the methods used in suicide attempts, and the way mental illness presents in men.
How mental illness often looks different in men
Depression in men. The classic portrayal of depression — sadness, crying, hopelessness — is more common in women. Men frequently present differently:
Irritability and anger. Men with depression are more likely to be irritable, short-tempered, and prone to outbursts. This is not "being grumpy." It is the depressive illness manifesting as irritability rather than sadness. Many men — and many clinicians — misinterpret this as a personality problem or stress rather than a mood disorder.
Risk-taking and recklessness. Increased alcohol consumption, reckless driving, risky sexual behaviour, gambling, dangerous sports. These are not separate problems. They are often attempts to self-medicate depressive symptoms — behaviours that provide temporary stimulation or relief but cause additional harm.
Physical symptoms. Men with depression frequently report physical complaints — headaches, gastrointestinal problems, chest pain, muscle tension — without recognising the psychological origin. This is not "imagined." The physical symptoms are real. They are mediated by the same neurobiological pathways that produce mood symptoms.
Working too hard. Some men bury themselves in work. The long hours, the inability to switch off, the perfectionism — these can be manifestations of depression disguised as ambition. The person is running from an inner emptiness they cannot name or express.
Substance use. Men are more likely than women to develop substance use disorders alongside depression or anxiety. Alcohol, in particular, is used as self-medication because it is socially acceptable. But alcohol is a depressant — it worsens the underlying depression even as it temporarily numbs it.
Anxiety in men. While anxiety in women often presents as worry and rumination, men with anxiety frequently experience restlessness, irritability, and physical tension. The worry may be present but is less likely to be verbalised. Men with anxiety are also more likely to turn to alcohol or other substances to calm their nerves.
Why men don't seek help
The barriers are real and multifaceted:
Stigma. In many cultures, including many of the cultures represented in Dubai's expatriate community, mental illness carries enormous stigma for men. A man's identity is often tied to his role as provider, protector, and problem-solver. Admitting that you cannot cope — that you are struggling — feels like a fundamental failure of that role.
Lack of awareness. Many men do not recognise their symptoms as mental health problems. Irritability, sleep disturbance, increased drinking, loss of interest in activities — these are attributed to "stress" or "getting older" rather than recognised as signs of a treatable medical condition.
Emotional literacy. Boys are not typically socialised to identify and articulate their emotions. The vocabulary for emotional experience — "I feel anxious," "I feel overwhelmed," "I feel lonely" — may simply not exist. Without the language, the experience cannot be communicated, and without communication, it cannot be treated.
Perception of therapy. Many men view therapy as a weakness — or worse, as ineffective. These are not just opinions. They are barriers that prevent help-seeking. And they are barriers that can be addressed through education and normalisation.
The Dubai context. In a relatively small expatriate community where professional circles overlap, the concern about confidentiality is real. A man in Dubai may worry that seeking psychiatric treatment could affect his reputation, his career, or his visa status. Understanding medical confidentiality in the UAE — and finding a clinician who respects that confidentiality rigorously — is important.
What effective treatment looks like
Men do not need a different kind of treatment. They need treatment that is delivered in a way that addresses their specific barriers.
Psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy works just as effectively for men as for women. Some men find CBT particularly accessible because it is structured, problem-focused, and skill-based — it has a clear framework and practical tools. This does not mean emotional work is skipped. It means the entry point is practical, and emotional exploration follows naturally.
Medication. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications work the same way in men as in women. There is no gender difference in the fundamental mechanism of these medications. Some specific considerations: certain antidepressants can affect sexual function — this should be discussed openly with your psychiatrist, who can choose medications with lower sexual side effect profiles when appropriate. Alcohol use interacts dangerously with many psychiatric medications — reducing or eliminating alcohol is an important part of treatment.
Group therapy. Some men find it easier to open up in a group setting with other men. Shared experience reduces isolation and normalises struggle. Men-only groups can be particularly effective because they create a space where the pressure to "be strong" is replaced by the understanding that struggling is human.
What you can do
If you are struggling. Talk to someone. You do not need to have everything articulated. "I am not myself lately" is enough. You do not need to be in crisis to seek help. The men who recover fastest are those who seek help early, when the problem is still manageable, rather than waiting until it has become overwhelming.
If you are worried about a man in your life. Pay attention to changes, not symptoms. A sudden increase in drinking, withdrawal from social activities, irritability, recklessness, talking about feeling trapped or hopeless — these are warning signs. Do not say "tough it out." Do not minimise. Say "I have noticed you seem different lately, and I am concerned." That is enough.
Watch for the danger signs. Direct statements about wanting to die or not wanting to be here. Giving away possessions. Saying goodbye to people. Putting affairs in order. These are not dramatic gestures. They are serious warning signs. If you see them, take them seriously. Encourage him to seek help immediately. If he is in imminent danger, call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance) in the UAE.
The conversation is changing
The suicide statistics are not going to change unless the conversation changes. The idea that men should be able to "handle it themselves" is not a strength. It is a death sentence. Mental illness is a medical condition. It affects men and women. It is treatable. Seeking help is not weakness — it is one of the strongest things a person can do.
In Dubai's multicultural environment, the stigma around men's mental health varies enormously across cultures. Some communities are beginning to open up. Others have a long way to go. But the evidence is clear: treating men's mental health effectively requires understanding the specific barriers men face, and creating pathways to care that work for men, not just for the stereotypical patient.
When should I seek help?
If you have been experiencing prolonged irritability, increased anger, changes in drinking or substance use, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, difficulty sleeping, or a sense of hopelessness or feeling trapped — seek a professional assessment. These are not signs of weakness. They are signs of a treatable medical condition.
Seek urgent help — call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance) in the UAE, or go to the nearest emergency department — if you are having thoughts of self-harm, if you feel you might act on thoughts of ending your life, or if you are in any way a danger to yourself. For non-urgent enquiries, use the appointment request form on this website. This practice does not operate a monitored telephone line, and a message sent through the form may not be read straight away.