Depression is the leading reason men seek therapy for the first time, according to new findings from our 2026 Public Perceptions Survey (1).
We found the proportion of men seeking therapy for the first time because of depression increased from half (50%) in 2025 to nearly two thirds (62%) this year.
Once accessed, nearly eight in ten men (79%) who had therapy for depression say they would recommend it.
More men are seeking help, yet depression does not always look the way people might expect. Some men talk openly about feeling low, whereas others show distress through changes in behaviour, mood or relationships.
Our members have shared some of the signs to look out for and explain how friends, family and therapists can offer support.
To read the full article, please visit the BACP website here.
References
1 About our Public Perceptions Survey
Since 2019, BACP has conducted an annual survey to measure the opinions and attitudes of the British public towards mental health.
The survey data was collected using a self-complete, online methodology. A nationally representative sample of 5,058 adults (aged 16+) was taken from YouGov’s online research panel and results were weighted to provide a nationally representative dataset. Fieldwork for the 2026 survey was conducted between the 16th February and 6th March 2026 and is in line with fieldwork dates from previous years.
