Aufklärung: „Ist das schlimm genug?“ Männer suchen spät Hilfe

Martin Luding, the 55-year-old actor, faced separation, divorce, and the struggle to be present for his children. Simultaneously, his solo song "Caveman" toured across Germany. Friends advised him to remove the gas from his system. After relocating from Stuttgart to Bavaria, he devoted himself completely to his children during weekends, a change impacted by lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His new relationship often prompted comments like, "You only see everything as a complaint." He acknowledged the need for help, stating, "Clearly, I couldn't go alone. And I didn't want to risk a second relationship." Luding sought support for his career, finding good experiences with therapy from friends. Psychologist Katharina Piekorz, who runs "Die Onlinepraxis," notes that she frequently encounters men who are highly stressed but still question, "Is this bad enough?"

Women tend to acknowledge their own stress and seek help more readily, attributed to societal roles and expectations. Piekorz emphasizes that young boys must witness their male role models discussing concerns, fears, stress, and exhaustion to seek support. Only 57% of men discussed concerns with partners or families, compared to 45% in their friend circles.

Men often struggle to express emotions, leading to more than one-third attempting to handle problems alone. Piekorz highlights that mental health is just one aspect of men's health, with Taboos still surrounding the topic. The "Movember" campaign aims to raise awareness in November using moustaches as a symbol. Men die, on average, five years earlier than women, often due to preventable causes, according to Uni Tübingen.

Only rarely is this discussed, with suicide rates significantly higher among men. In the "Psychreport 2025" by DAK, women had 431 sick days due to mental health issues for every 100 insured individuals, while men had 266. Piekorz points out that men are less likely to seek professional help, especially after extended periods without it, which can increase the risk of suicide.

Signs may include poor sleep, excessive exercise, high alcohol consumption, or overworking. Piekorz compares mental health warning signs to a car's warning light, urging men to seek professional support when they notice persistent issues or reduced relaxation. Luding, who underwent two and a half years of therapy, considers it a valuable and beneficial experience, helping him understand the origins of his problems versus learned behaviors.

He emphasizes that seeking help is not a sign of weakness or failure but a demonstration of self-responsibility for one's life and health.