The Silent Strain: How Financial Stress Is Taking a Toll on Men’s Mental Health
Half of men admit to hiding money behaviors as shame and silence reshape emotional well-being and relationships.
NEW YORK, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new survey shows that just 27% of men rate their mental health as “excellent”—and when it comes to financial health, that number drops even lower to just 15%. It’s a silent struggle for many men, especially when financial stress goes unspoken. Recently, Nathan Astle, Certified Financial Therapist at Beyond Finance conducted a satellite media tour in partnership with D S Simon Media to shed light on the connection between money and mental health—and what men can do about it.
A new national survey from Beyond Finance, one of the first of its kind, reveals a troubling trend — financial distress is fueling a silent mental health crisis among men, driven by secrecy, shame, and isolation.
Men’s financial stress and mental health are deeply intertwined
The survey of 2,000 U.S. men found a powerful link between financial strain and emotional well-being. Only 27% of men rated their mental health as ‘Excellent,’ and even fewer — just 15% — felt the same about their financial health. Over 25% rated their finances as ‘Poor’ or ‘Not Very Good,’ while 10% gave the same rating to their mental health. This parallel between financial hardship and emotional distress suggests that for many men, money isn’t just a numbers issue. It’s a mental health issue.
More than half of respondents (57%) said they are currently in debt with credit card debt (62%), mortgages (34%), and auto loans (30%) cited as the most common types. The emotional impact of debt is clear: men reported feeling frustrated (38%), anxious (29%), overwhelmed (28%), and embarrassed (19%) because of their financial situation — yet nearly a quarter (22%) don’t feel comfortable seeking out financial advice from anyone.
Other key findings from the survey:
Financial infidelity is common and often driven by shame
Half of men admitted to keeping financial secrets from a spouse or partner. Among those in committed relationships, the most common money …