Breaking the Silence: Dr. Luke Piper on Men’s Mental Health
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Asia Tabb
Aired; June 2nd, 2025.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the unique challenges men face in seeking mental health support. Dr. Luke Piper, a psychiatrist at UPMC Lititz, joined The Spark to share both professional insights and a deeply personal story.
“This isn’t intended to take anything away from women’s mental health,” Dr. Piper clarified. “But men experience mental illness — and the stigma around it — differently. About 60% of men with mental illness go untreated, and they’re three to four times more likely to die by suicide.”
Dr. Piper knows these challenges firsthand. During his third year of medical school, he faced depression for the first time.
“I remember wondering, ‘Is it okay for me to feel this way? Is this a weakness?’” he said. “But getting treatment wasn’t about being defined by mental illness — it was about getting back to my usual self.”
He believes societal expectations about masculinity often keep men silent.
“There’s this myth that being a man means you can’t show vulnerability — that emotions like sadness or anxiety somehow make you less,” Piper explained. “But the brain can malfunction just like any other organ. We don’t judge people for having diabetes.”
Barriers to help include stigma, lack of education, and limited access to care — particularly in rural areas. Even when men do reach out, Piper says it can be hard to know where to begin.
“Seeing a psychiatrist doesn’t mean you’re signing up for a lifetime of medication. It’s a conversation. It’s confidential. And it might change your life.”
As for signs someone may be silently struggling? Watch for shifts in sleep, energy, interests, or a turn to substances like alcohol or drugs.
“One of the best protections against suicide is simply knowing you’re not alone,” Piper said. “If someone opens up to you, just listen. That act of support could make all the difference.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a mental health professional or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
