Men, masculinities, and mental health: Key issues for nurse practitioners

Men's mental health is an important topic for nurse practitioners (NPs) because men and women have different epidemiological profiles and clinical presentations when it comes to behavioral health. As clinicians, we must be aware of these differences to better serve diverse patient populations. In this article, four key issues to men's mental health will be discussed in relationship to masculinities: suicide; depression; stigma; and engagement with mental health services. A case study of a male patient is presented, and the article concludes with clinical implications for NPs.