Published June 2026

Men’s Health Awareness Month 2026 focuses on a critical and urgent goal: closing the lifespan gender gap by strengthening care partnerships that support men’s physical and mental health, safety, and social well‑being through education, outreach, advocacy, and greater empathy. While men face similar rates of mental health conditions as women, they are often less likely to seek help and more likely to experience severe outcomes. National data highlight the seriousness of this issue: men die by suicide at significantly higher rates than women, underscoring the need for earlier identification, stronger provider engagement, and integrated behavioral health support.

How Providers Can Help Close the Gap

Men are often more connected to the health care system through primary care visits or chronic condition management rather than through behavioral health services alone. Every encounter is an opportunity to support their whole person health.

Warning signs to look out for:

• Anger/irritability or escalating conflict (including aggression)
• Sleep disruption or poor concentration affecting daily function
• Increased alcohol/drug use or risky coping behaviors
• Persistent physical complaints (e.g., headaches, GI issues) without clear cause
• Suicidal thoughts or intent (escalate immediately per safety protocol)

This Men’s Health Month, we encourage providers to continue strengthening care partnerships that address both physical and mental health—helping men not just survive, but live healthier, longer lives.

Depression Screening & Follow-Up

• Who is included: Members age 12+
• What to do: Screen for clinical depression with a standardized tool (e.g., PHQ-2/PHQ-9 or other validated, age-appropriate instrument) and document the tool name and result/score.
• If the screen is positive: Provide and document follow-up care within 30 days of the first positive screen. Follow-up may include a behavioral health visit (in-person or virtual), depression case management, therapy/collaborative care/medication management, or an antidepressant being dispensed.
• Same-day “brief-to-full” workflow counts: If a brief screen (e.g., PHQ-2) is positive, a same-day full-length screen (e.g., PHQ-9) that is negative (no symptoms requiring follow-up) can satisfy the follow-up requirement.
• Practical tip: Build an EHR template that captures tool + score, risk/safety assessment when indicated, and a clear follow-up plan (warm handoff/referral, medication plan, and scheduled follow-up date)

Access additional Behavioral Health tools, navigate down to View Guidelines and Resources → Behavioral Health → Supporting Tools for Clinicians.