Improving mental health practice with boys and men: core challenges and guidance for clinicians

Summary Regardless of any socially held perceptions of privilege or power differentials, boys and men present unique developmental vulnerabilities and disproportionate rates of specific mental health problems, such as disruptive behaviour disorders, substance misuse and completed suicide. Moreover, men are less likely than women to seek help for psychological distress and adhere less well to treatments. In this brief article, some of the unique mental health problems experienced by boys and men are reviewed within a developmental perspective and general clinical guidance is outlined to improve adherence and treatment outcomes.