‘It Puts You at Odds With Society’: Masculinity and Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma

Sarah K. McKenzie, Georgia Ramsden, Susanna Every-Palmer, Snita Ahir-Knight, John L. Oliffe, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, New Zealand, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand MidCentral, Palmerston North, New Zealand, School of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne

Qualitative Health Research

Published online on May 22, 2026

Abstract

Qualitative Health Research, Ahead of Print.
The profound consequences of experiencing mental illness stigma are widely acknowledged. However, the gendered nature of stigma among men living with mood and anxiety disorders remains poorly understood. Despite dying by suicide at more than twice the ...