New study reveals benefits of men’s mental health podcasts and how they can normalise discussions of feelings 

Researchers from York St John University have published a new paper in Mental Health & Prevention which demonstrates significant benefits for men who listen to mental health podcasts. This is the first study to explore how these podcasts help men challenge traditional masculine socialised behaviours, providing a helpful platform for emotional growth and support.  

The study was carried out with York based men's mental health and suicide prevention charity Menfulness. With funding from a Community Research Grant from the University’s Institute for Social Justice, academics Holly Murphy and Dr Gary Shepherd partnered with Sam Watling and Jack Woodhams from the charity to uncover deeper understanding of the impact of their work. 

The study involved a diverse group of male participants who regularly engaged with mental health podcast episodes. The results were compelling, with regular listeners reporting feeling more understood and less isolated.  

These podcasts provided a safe space for discussing issues that men often shy away from, such as anxiety, depression, and emotional vulnerability. By hearing others share their experiences, listeners found it easier to acknowledge their own struggles and seek help when needed. 

A key aspect of the study was examining how these podcasts help men question and move beyond restrictive masculine norms. Participants indicated that the podcasts created a safe and relatable space for discussing feelings, which significantly reduced the stigma around mental health. This environment encouraged healthier emotional expression and coping mechanisms.  

“They're approaching subjects that you and I would go ‘I really want to talk about that’ and people are actually sitting there and they're going through the subjects, they're going through the topics, they're going through their own personal experiences. And you're sitting and you're going sh**! I've gone through that.” - study participant.  

“Do you know if I'd have... if we turned the clocks back to last year when I had my nervous breakdown… and I turned the clocks back with the knowledge I have now - I'd have spoken up; I'd have let people know, I wouldn't have just been suffering in silence.” - study participant.  

Dr Gary Shepherd, Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Mental Health, said: “Although men are more likely to die by suicide than women, they are less likely to seek help when feeling suicidal and masculine socialisation leaves men feeling stigmatised for their mental health problems.  

“Our findings suggest that mental health podcasts are an effective tool for promoting mental wellbeing among men. They offer practical advice and relatable content that make it easier for men to open up about their mental health issues. This, in turn, helps men feel less alone in their struggles and more likely to seek help.” 

Sam Watling from Menfulness said: “'It's been an enormous privilege working with our researchers Gary and Holly. They've seen the potential in our charity and have helped us tease out evidence of the meaningful impact our work has on our members and listeners.   

“These results have confirmed what we see working every day. We know what we're building is special but we've struggle to prove it due to the nature of preventative work.   

“Knowing our podcast has guided more men towards talking about their challenges or reaching out for professional help is hugely rewarding and inspires us to keep pushing and growing Menfulness to do more.”  

Read the full paper on Mental Health & Prevention (via ScienceDirect) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200347