Further reading and support

About the evidence on our home page

We quote four findings. Here is what each one does — and doesn't — show.

Loneliness and isolation

The WHO Commission on Social Connection (2025) estimates that around 1 in 6 people worldwide felt lonely, based on data from 2014–2023. The figure covers all genders and ages, and WHO reports similar rates for men and women. It is not a men-only statistic.WHO (2025). From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies. Report of the WHO Commission on Social Connection.

Mental health

The UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026 gives global suicide death rates of 12.4 per 100,000 for men and 5.9 for women in 2021. It measures deaths, not how common mental illness is, and the gap varies widely between regions.United Nations (2026). The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026 — Goal 3: suicide death rates by sex, 2021.

Pressure to be strong

A 2020 WHO Europe scoping review found that self-reliance, difficulty expressing emotions and self-control — norms linked to ideas of masculinity — can be barriers to men seeking help. It describes research findings, not how many men are affected.Gough, B. & Novikova, I. (2020). Mental health, men and culture. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Health Evidence Network synthesis report 70.

Asking for help

The same review notes that men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues. It covers the WHO European Region; we have not found a verified worldwide percentage.Gough, B. & Novikova, I. (2020). Mental health, men and culture. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Health Evidence Network synthesis report 70.

None of these sources shows that thanking someone, or this campaign, prevents suicide or mental illness. Appreciation can be a kind first step, but it does not replace professional care.