Kalle Norwald Kalle Norwald shares three tips for men’s mental health Men in crisis rarely ask for help—not because they don’t need it, but because they’ve learned that they’re supposed to handle things on their own. When life falls apart, silence and isolation often become the norm, even though the cost of poor mental health can be high. Kalle Norwald is a licensed psychotherapist and an authorized sexologist. As part of Men’s Mental Health Month, we asked him whether there are any studies showing how traditional masculine ideals affect men in crisis—and to share three tips for how men can protect their mental health.“Men in crisis rarely seek help. Not because they don’t want to, but because they’ve learned they’re not supposed to. Many men grow up with the idea that strength means staying silent, maintaining self-control, and handling things on their own. When life falls apart, the crisis clashes with their self-image. Feeling bad can seem unmanly, and instead of seeking support, isolation often becomes the only way out. The problem is that the same norms that promise strength can also make a crisis more dangerous.” ” It doesn’t seem to be about an unwillingness to seek help—rather, it’s about the shame associated with showing weakness. That’s why I want to highlight a 2025 study by Mokhwelepa & Sumbane, which shows that men who strongly adhere to traditional masculine ideals are more likely to suppress their emotions, delay seeking help, and instead numb themselves through work, alcohol, or isolation. Help comes late—and sometimes too late. It doesn’t seem to be about an unwillingness to seek help—rather, it’s about the shame associated with showing weakness.If we want to help men in crisis, we need to change the narrative around strength. Asking for help is not a defeat; it’s an active decision to take responsibility for your life. Courage isn’t about gritting your teeth until you break. Courage is being able to say, “I can’t handle this on my own,” says Kalle Norwald.Are you a man in crisis? Here are three tips based on this study:Don’t wait until the crisis becomes “serious enough.” If something in your life is weighing on you, draining you, or frightening you, that’s reason enough to seek support.Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s an active decision to take responsibility for your life when things aren’t working as they should.Talk to someone, even if it feels uncomfortable or you don’t know how to put your feelings into words.Isolation makes crises worse; connection helps ease them. Kalle Norwald “A picture I sent to @psykologiforbarn after I finally managed, after several days of carrying sadness and being in crisis, to cry and let some of it out. Trying to practice what I preach!” — Kalle Norwald, Authorized Sexologist and Licensed Psychotherapist Source for the study: Mokhwelepa, L. W., & Sumbane, G. O. (2025). Men’s mental health matters: The impact of traditional masculinity norms on men’s willingness to seek mental health support: A systematic review of literature.American Journal of Men’s Health, 19(3), 1–15.