Hine’s book outlines how issues traditionally seen as “male problems” — like addiction to gaming, school dropout rates, and homelessness — are rarely given the same social or policy urgency as those affecting women or marginalised groups
While global conversations around gender equality have intensified in recent years, a vital aspect is being left behind — the mental health of men and boys. According to UK-based psychologist and academic Professor Benjamin Hine, societal narratives continue to neglect male emotional and psychological well-being, often viewing men as part of the problem rather than individuals struggling with their own unique challenges.#
In his latest book, Professor Hine, who teaches Applied Psychology at the University of West London (UWL), explores the silent crisis facing men today. He points to harmful and outdated ideals of masculinity as a significant barrier preventing many men from seeking help or being included in broader gender discussions.
“Men, like all individuals, are complex human beings with their own unique struggles, vulnerabilities, and challenges,” Hine writes. “Yet, in today’s rapidly shifting societal landscape, these challenges are often overshadowed or go unnoticed.”
The professor argues that male-specific stressors — such as body image, evolving ideas of fatherhood, and pressure around sexual relationships — need to be openly addressed without framing men as inherently problematic. He warns that failing to acknowledge these concerns risks further alienating young men and pushing them into toxic spaces, especially online, where extreme ideologies can take root.
Crucially, Hine’s book outlines how issues traditionally seen as “male problems” — like addiction to gaming, school dropout rates, and homelessness — are rarely given the same social or policy urgency as those affecting women or marginalised groups. Instead, men are often seen as perpetrators of social issues rather than as individuals facing real struggles.
The book urges an urgent cultural shift — one that promotes inclusive, evidence-based approaches and early interventions targeted at improving male well-being. According to Hine, gender equality will remain incomplete unless it incorporates the emotional and psychological needs of all genders, including men and boys.
“Making young men feel excluded or alienated from conversations about gender, which often and rightfully focus on women and marginalised groups, can leave them resentful,” he says. “This in turn may drive loneliness, depression, and susceptibility to extreme views.”
He further stresses the importance of recognising the intersectionality within male experiences — such as differences in race, religion, class, and sexual identity — to ensure that support systems and public policies are accessible and effective for diverse groups of men and boys.
A particular area of concern highlighted in the book is the high suicide rate among men, especially in younger and middle-aged demographics. Despite being one of the most pressing indicators of male distress, suicide prevention often lacks a targeted approach for men, Hine notes. He advocates for a holistic cultural rethinking that includes men and boys in gender dialogues without diminishing the focus on women’s rights and struggles. “The issues affecting men and women are often interconnected,” he explains, “yet are treated as entirely separate. That separation has only widened the empathy gap.”
Professor Hine’s book is not a rejection of feminist progress but rather a call to extend the scope of gender equality to ensure that everyone — regardless of gender — is seen, heard, and supported.
In doing so, he appeals to policymakers, educators, health practitioners, and the general public to champion mental health and well-being policies that consider men not just as contributors to problems but as individuals who, too, need support, compassion, and community.
