Abstract
Mental health is crucial throughout life and significantly influences overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked and stigmatized. Mental health issues among men are a significant public health concern due to societal norms that discourage emotional vulnerability and seeking help, leading to underreporting and inadequate access to necessary services. While research has explored these connections, a gap exists in understanding how these factors influence the mental health of young men specifically. The study was conducted in the college department of an institution in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. It utilized an explanatory sequential research design, beginning with quantitative data collection to measure 106 male students' experiences with mental health expression and stigma, followed by qualitative methods to explore the experiences of 5 male students in-depth regarding their mental health expression. This study examines the factors influencing male students' willingness to communicate mental health expression. The study shows a strong positive correlation between adverse experiences and higher-level stigma, underscoring how societal attitudes discourage open communication. Moreover, the qualitative findings reveal that societal norms, personal experiences, and coping mechanisms play a role. Themes like stereotyping, social anxieties, and feelings of isolation emerged, highlighting students' challenges in seeking support. These qualitative insights support the quantitative data, which shows a high prevalence of stigma surrounding mental health. The study emphasizes the need to address these cultural and structural barriers to create a more supportive environment that reduces stigma and encourages help-seeking behavior among male students.
