Why Do Men Die by Suicide More Than Women?

Suicide is a critical public health issue in the United States and around the world. Every year, millions of people are impacted by the loss of a loved one to suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person dies by suicide approximately every 11 minutes in the U.S. alone. While suicide affects people across all demographics, men are disproportionately affected, accounting for a significantly higher percentage of suicide deaths than women.

Key Takeaways

• Men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the U.S.
• Social norms discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help.
• Expectations to succeed and limited emotional outlets increase isolation and distress.
• Men more often use firearms, leading to higher fatality rates.
• Men are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope, raising suicide risk.

Suicide Among Men: A Disproportionate Crisis

While both men and women experience suicidal thoughts, the suicide completion rate among men is alarmingly higher. According to CDC data from 2023:

• The suicide rate among men was four times higher than that of women.
• Men make up approximately 50% of the U.S. population, but nearly 80% of all suicide deaths.
• Certain groups are even more at risk: individuals aged 85 and older, and non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native men have some of the highest suicide rates in the country.

The Mental Health Crisis in Men

The high suicide rate in men reflects a complex mix of social, psychological, and cultural factors. Here are some of the key elements that are often involved:

Men Often Suppress Their Emotions

Many boys are taught from a young age that expressing sadness, fear, or vulnerability is a sign of weakness. This ingrained belief often continues into adulthood, leading many men to suppress their emotions rather than seeking support. Bottling up these emotions can increase their weight and detrimentally impact someone’s mental health. Men may also feel alone in their struggles, which can lead to feelings of isolation and further worsen mental health. 

Men Are Less Likely to Seek Mental Health Support

The stigma around mental health treatment remains particularly strong for men. According to research by the National Institute of Mental Health, men are significantly less likely to see a therapist or psychiatrist than women, even when struggling with serious symptoms.

This underutilization of mental health services leads to untreated mental health conditions becoming more severe over time. Men may suffer in silence until their distress becomes overwhelming.

The Pressure to Provide and Succeed

Men often face intense societal pressure to succeed professionally, financially, and socially. This “provider role” can create an unsustainable burden, particularly during times of economic hardship, job loss, or family struggles. When men feel they are failing in these roles, they may experience profound shame, isolation, and hopelessness—strong predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Lack of Social Support Networks

Unlike women, who often have several emotionally supportive friendships, men may be more likely to struggle with building and maintaining deep social connections. As a result, they may not have someone they can open up to during emotional crises. Loneliness and social isolation are major risk factors for suicide, especially in older men or those living alone.

Why Men Die by Suicide More Often: Use of Lethal Methods

Another key factor contributing to the higher suicide death rate among men is method choice.

Men Are More Likely to Use Violent and Lethal Methods

While women attempt suicide more often, men tend to choose more lethal means.  This may reflect social pressure to appear strong, greater impulsivity, and the effects of testosterone on risk-taking. 

According to the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS):

Experts refer to this phenomenon as the “gender paradox” of suicide: women are more likely to attempt, but men are more likely to die due to the methods used.

Substance Abuse in Men and Suicide Risk

Higher Rates of Substance Abuse Among Men

Substance use disorders are also more prevalent among men. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, binge drink, and engage in risky substance-related behaviors.

This pattern is often linked to coping mechanisms—men may turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate for depression, anxiety, or PTSD, particularly when other forms of emotional expression are discouraged.

The Dangerous Link Between Substance Use and Suicide

Substance use and suicide are closely connected. Many people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional pain, stress, or mental illness. While it may provide short-term relief, it often leads to long-term problems.

Addiction can heighten feelings of shame, hopelessness, and isolation. As substance use increases, relationships tend to break down, leaving the person even more disconnected. Ongoing use also takes a toll on both physical and emotional health. These struggles often drive further substance use in an attempt to escape the distress—trapping the person in a dangerous cycle that’s hard to break.

Getting Help: Suicide Prevention and Support for Men

If you are a man struggling with suicidal thoughts—or know someone who is—it’s important to know that help is available. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness; it’s a powerful act of courage.

National Resources

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) – Free and confidential support, available 24/7
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor.
• Men’s support groups, including organizations like Man Therapy, Movebmber, and HeadsUpGuys, provide community-based peer support, educational resources and therapist directories. 

Talking to a friend, family member, or mental health professional can make all the difference and save lives. Innovative treatments, such as ketamine therapy, are also being explored to help reprogram ingrained repetitive thoughts around ending one’s life.

FAQs

Martha Allitt

Martha is a freelance writer and journalist, whose work specialises in psychedelics, ketamine and mental health. She is a co-owner of the UK Psychedelic Society, and regularly curates, hosts and facilitates events around these topics. You can read her work on various platforms including Psycle Health, Double Blind , Lucid News, The Third Wave, and more. Martha is also a yoga teacher and–with a BSc in neuroscience—she is particularly fascinated by the interrelation of science and spirituality. She is currently making a documentary about Datura, exploring the lines between indigenous wisdom, hallucinations and the supernatural. Martha has volunteered with the charity PsyCare, providing welfare and harm-reduction advice at music events since 2019. She has facilitated workshops on the safe use of psychedelics and runs psychedelic integration events to help people process difficult experiences.

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