Why Men’s Mental Health Matters: Money Worries and Work

Last updated: 22 October 2026

Money worries can weigh heavily on men’s mental health, affecting sleep, mood, confidence and focus at work. Many men feel pressure to cope alone and keep quiet, so their struggles can go unseen. Talking early, to someone at home or at work, and using the free support available can make a real difference.

Awareness weeks such as Men’s Health Week, which the Men’s Health Forum runs every year (in 2026 it ran from 15 to 21 June), are an important reminder that, while conversations around mental health have become more open, many men are still finding things difficult behind closed doors.

For some, asking for help can feel uncomfortable: it might not feel natural to talk about stress, worry or feeling overwhelmed. There can be pressure to cope, to keep going and to appear as though everything is under control.

But no one should feel they have to manage everything alone, in an awareness week or any other week of the year.

Why does men’s mental health matter?

The statistics around men’s mental health in the UK, even today, are deeply concerning.

In 2025, the registered suicide rate for men in England and Wales was 17.5 deaths per 100,000, more than three times the rate for women (5.5 per 100,000), according to the Office for National Statistics.

At the same time, Mental Health UK notes that women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with common mental health conditions, and that this doesn’t mean men don’t struggle. This suggests that many men may be struggling without being seen, supported or counted in the figures, highlighting a worrying disconnect.

Men may be less likely to appear in mental health statistics, but they are far more likely to experience some of the most serious outcomes.

How do money worries affect men’s mental health?

When we talk about men’s mental health, we often talk about stress, burnout, anxiety and the importance of speaking up.

What we sometimes forget to talk about is money.

Yet money can be closely tied to how we feel day to day. It can affect our sleep, our confidence, our relationships and our sense of control. It can be something that sits in the background, or the thing that keeps someone awake at 2am when an unexpected bill lands.

Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report 2026 found that 91% of UK adults experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the last year. Money worries (48%) were one of the top factors driving stress outside work, behind poor sleep (59%).

That will feel familiar to many people.

Rising living costs, uncertainty and everyday financial pressures continue to affect households across the country. Even when someone appears to be coping on the outside, money worries can still feel heavy behind the scenes.

Our Money and Mindset Report found that:

• 72% of people say money impacts their mood at least sometimes.
• 55% feel anxious or overwhelmed about money.
• 46% say money worries affect their sleep.

Money affects far more than our bank balance. It can shape how secure, calm and confident we feel in everyday life.

Why do men often stay silent about money and mental health?

For many men, talking about mental health can still feel difficult.

There are often layers to that silence. Fear of judgement. Pressure to appear strong. Worry about being seen differently by family, friends or colleagues.

Traditional ideas of masculinity can also make it harder for some men to admit when something is wrong. There can be an expectation to provide, to solve problems and to keep emotions private. Research from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute found that men reported gendered expectations, such as avoiding talking about their mental health, made it harder to access potential sources of support.

Workplace culture can play a part too. If stress is treated as normal, or if people feel they have to push through, it can be even harder to speak up early.

When money is involved, those barriers can become stronger.

Financial struggles can feel personal. They can become tied to confidence, identity and self-worth. Many men still feel pressure to appear financially stable or successful, even when they are finding things difficult.

We also often talk about money and gender in averages. We hear that, on average, men are more likely to be higher earners or hold senior roles. While that may be true at a population level, it does not reflect every individual’s reality.

The assumption that men are financially secure can sometimes make real money worries easier to overlook.

The reality is simple: averages do not pay anyone’s bills.

How are money and mental health linked?

Money and mental health are closely connected.

When money feels difficult, it can affect sleep, concentration, confidence and decision-making. It can make everyday tasks feel heavier and make it harder to think clearly about the future.

At the same time, poor mental wellbeing can make it harder to deal with money. Opening letters, checking accounts, making decisions or asking for help can all feel more difficult when someone is already feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed.

That can create a cycle that is hard to break. Mental health charity Mind describes how it can start to feel like a vicious cycle.

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute reports that almost half (46%) of people in problem debt also have a mental health problem, and that people experiencing mental health problems are three and a half times more likely to be in problem debt than people without them.

This is why financial wellbeing deserves a place in the wider wellbeing conversation.

It is not just about budgeting or financial education. It is about helping people feel more informed, more supported and more able to take small steps before money worries start affecting other parts of their lives.

What can you do if money worries are affecting your mental health?

If any of this sounds familiar, small steps can help you feel more in control:

1. Notice what’s changed. Trouble sleeping, a shorter temper, losing focus at work or avoiding post and bank apps can all be signs that money is weighing on you.
2. Talk to someone you trust. That could be a partner, a friend, a colleague or your manager. Saying it out loud is often the hardest part.
3. Write down what’s worrying you. List what comes in, what goes out and which bills are priorities, such as rent, council tax and energy. Seeing it on paper can make it feel more manageable.
4. Check what your employer offers. Many workplaces offer an employee assistance programme, financial wellbeing support or financial coaching, and you can usually use them confidentially.
5. Get free debt advice early. If you’re falling behind, free debt advice can help you find a way forward before things build up.
6. Speak to your GP. If low mood, anxiety or stress isn’t lifting, your GP can talk you through the support available.

What can employers do to support men’s mental health?

Workplaces can make a real difference.

For many men, work is where they spend a large part of their week. It can also be where early signs of stress first appear, whether that is a change in confidence, focus, mood or behaviour.

That is why employers have an important role to play in making support visible, practical and easy to access.

This means moving beyond awareness days alone. It means creating a culture where people know what support is available, understand how to use it and feel reassured that asking for help will be met with understanding.

There are practical ways employers can do this:

• Training managers to recognise signs of distress
• Making support routes clear
• Offering confidential or anonymous options
• Encouraging open conversations
• Including financial wellbeing as part of a wider wellbeing strategy

Financial wellbeing support can be a helpful starting point. For some people, talking about money may feel more practical than talking directly about mental health. It can open the door to wider support in a way that feels grounded and relevant.

For line managers, our guide to supporting your team’s mental health sets out practical steps, and our guide to mental health at work and financial wellbeing covers the wider strategy for HR teams.

How can support work for everyone?

Supporting men’s mental health is not about creating separate or isolated strategies. It is about making wellbeing support more inclusive, flexible and human.

People open up in different ways.

Some may speak to a manager. Others may feel more comfortable using a digital tool, speaking to a wellbeing provider, joining a peer network or having a confidential conversation outside of work.

There is no single right route to support.

The more accessible and varied support is, the more likely people are to use it when they need it.

When organisations create environments where people feel understood, respected and supported, everyone benefits. People feel more able to be honest, more confident in asking for help and more likely to feel that their wellbeing genuinely matters.

Where can I get free help?

Free, confidential support is available:

• StepChange, the debt charity, on 0800 138 1111 (freephone).
• Citizens Advice for help with debt, bills and benefits.
• MoneyHelper, backed by government, for free and impartial money guidance.
• Mind for information about money and mental health.
• Samaritans on 116 123, free, any time of day or night, if you’re struggling to cope.

For more on how money worries can affect anyone’s mental health, read how finances are affecting mental health and employee wellbeing.

Frequently asked questions

Why is men’s mental health a concern in the UK?

Men are more likely to experience some of the most serious outcomes. In 2025, the registered suicide rate for men in England and Wales was more than three times the rate for women, according to the ONS.

Do money worries affect men’s mental health?

They can. Money can affect sleep, confidence, relationships and focus at work, and pressure to appear financially secure can make it harder for men to say when they are struggling.

How can employers support men’s mental health at work?

By training managers to spot signs of distress, making support routes clear and confidential, encouraging open conversations and including financial wellbeing in their wider wellbeing strategy.

What should I do if I’m struggling to cope?

Talk to someone you trust. Samaritans are available free on 116 123, day or night, from any phone.

A reminder for every week of the year

There is rarely one single reason why someone struggles with their mental health.

Financial pressure is only one part of a much bigger picture. But money worries can add to stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation, especially when someone feels they cannot talk about what they are going through.

That is why conversations around both mental health and money matter.

If financial worries are affecting your sleep, mood or peace of mind, you are not alone. Support can start in different ways, whether that is speaking to someone you trust, using support available through your employer or reaching out to a professional organisation.

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness.

Sometimes the most important step is not solving everything straight away.

It is starting the conversation.

Written by Jess Mangar & Cameron Glynn, Marketing Executives & Terry Vincent, Senior Marketing Lead

This article is general information, not personal financial advice. Lifetime is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 225795).