Content warning: mentions of sexual assault and suicide.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among Americans, including college students. Conversations about mental health often center on those visibly struggling, but visibility and risk are not the same. Stigma and misconceptions around men’s mental health, in particular, prevent many from receiving help.
“Mental health [struggles are] normal,” senior and president of the Men’s Mental Health Club (MMHC) at Villanova, Zander DeLuca, said. “It’s something that everyone—male and female—goes through, and it is a shame that it’s so stigmatized, specifically in the male community, just based on how men were grown and raised.”
Men account for roughly 75 to 80% of suicide deaths per year. CDC data reports 38,925 male lives lost in 2024 alone. SAMHSA data further indicate that adults aged 18 to 25 report the highest prevalence of suicidal thoughts, with similar rates among men and women.
In 2019, a study of children and young adults (ages 12 to 29) in the Journal of Adolescent Health focusing on LGBT youth also shed light on suicide among non-LGBT youth. It emphasized the need for inclusive prevention strategies. DeLuca cautions against generalizing experiences, noting that people cope, behave and grow up differently.
Non-LGBT youth accounted for roughly 90% of the cases in the study, and four of every five of those were male. In addition, the data confirmed disquieting truths about suicide in young men.
First, most non-LGBT male suicide cases had no history of mental illness. Relationship issues were commonly reported. Seven out of ten (1,100) of the men and boys in the study had no mental illness before death. 62% of them faced intimate partner problems, ranging from bad breakups and cheating to ongoing conflicts. It even included experiences of physical or emotional abuse.
Recent national survey data from the CDC/NISVS corroborate these findings. They indicate that nearly one in three men experience intimate partner violence. Most of it occurs before turning 25. About 1-in-4 report experiencing sexual violence, and 1-in-14 report being made to penetrate. These experiences are often underreported, stigmatized or subject to differing legal classifications.
Villanova University survey data show that male students who experience relationship or sexual violence often describe similar experiences to female survivors. Given how frequently relationship issues appear, small shifts in how peers respond may be critical. DeLuca suggested asking “Are you okay?” or “How can I help?” to start conversations that a casual “How are you?” cannot.
Male survivors often report difficulty recognizing or disclosing abuse. Social expectations around masculinity can discourage vulnerability. Public narratives frequently emphasize men as perpetrators of violence while stories of male victims and female-perpetrated violence receive less attention in comparison, making it harder for male survivors and anyone harmed by a female perpetrator to seek help or recognize their abuse.
Perhaps the most unsettling truth from the study is that some men already sought help before taking suicidal action. One in six of the men and boys were in treatment for mental illness at the time of death, and about half had a history of suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts as well. Despite this tragedy, that does not mean men talking about their feelings never works, as sophomore and MMHC co-president Luke Brocius can attest.
“What I learned, especially from talking to some of these presenters and these mental health kinds of people, is that when men do speak out, when men actually do decide to identify and figure out their problems, there is a huge success rate,” Brocius said.
Brocius’ words suggest that outcomes improve significantly when men can identify and address their tribulations early.
So, the question is: How can modern mental health resources improve success, especially in an academic institution? Anthony Ciliberto, assistant director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, shared his answer.
“What works is not telling men to be vulnerable, but creating conditions where vulnerability is normalized and rewarded,” Ciliberto said.
Effective strategies include peer mentorship mixed with small-group dialogue, storytelling from respected male role models and skill-building around emotional literacy. Help-seeking must be framed as a strength rather than a weakness. People must offer multiple entry points to support men, such as conversation, movement, service and creativity.
Men interested in the MMHC can find more information about them on Instagram @mensmentalhealthvu. The University offers multiple resources for students suffering from mental illness, suicidal ideation, sexual misconduct and more, such as the University Counseling Center and Title IX. Off campus, there are hotlines dedicated to suicide prevention, domestic violence and sexual violence, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Check in on the men you care about. A simple “Are you OK?” or “How can I help?” can potentially save a person’s life.
