Public Health in the Rockies 2026

Men’s mental health is a growing public health concern marked by rising rates of suicide, substance use, and what are often described as “deaths of despair.” Despite these trends, men remain significantly less likely to seek help or engage in traditional health services. Compounding this challenge is the lack of coordinated public health infrastructure: there is currently no federal Office of Men’s Health, and only a small number of states have established dedicated offices addressing men’s health needs. This absence reinforces a broader gap in prevention, outreach, and intervention efforts for men.

This presentation draws on the development and implementation of MSU Denver’s Men’s Health academic program—the first of its kind in the region—including courses such as Men’s Health, Men Across Cultures, Fathers and Health, Anger in Men, and Aging Warriors. Evidence from these programs suggests that when men are effectively engaged, benefits extend beyond individuals to positively impact women, children, families, and broader community health outcomes.

The session explores the often hidden landscape of men’s mental health, including patterns of disengagement, identity struggle, and coping strategies such as excessive gaming, pornography use, and substance reliance. These behaviors are examined as adaptive responses to unresolved internal challenges and sociocultural pressures rather than simply pathologies.

Participants will engage with a framework that situates men’s mental health within broader contexts of masculinity, cultural expectations, race, aging, and developmental transitions. The presentation argues for expanding male-centered programming and explores the potential role of state Offices of Men’s Health as structural interventions to improve population-level outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical insights for designing initiatives that effectively reach and resonate with diverse populations of men.