Dark Tourism as an Alternative Mental Health Intervention for Men; Exploring Attitudes and Perceptions.

Despite engaging being at greater risk of suicide, men are significantly less likely to seek mental health support than women. Traits such as stoicism and a need for self-reliance, often associated with traditional masculinity, are frequently cited as barriers to help-seeking. With research highlighting the advantages of non-clinical approaches, and evidence suggesting the benefits of visiting sites associated with death and tragedy, this study explored whether dark tourism was seen as a viable alternative mental health intervention for men, by men. Fourteen male participants (aged 18–66) were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of general mental health and help-seeking, masculine norms, and the consequences of dark tourism. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes were developed, centring around 1) factors contributing to mental health and wellbeing in men; 2) men’s views on mental health services; 3) barriers to seeking mental health support; and 4) dark tourism as a mental health intervention. Participants described a preference for informal, self-directed approaches aligned with masculine values. While some raised concerns about the emotional intensity of dark tourism, the majority (10 out of 14) expressed openness to it as a form of therapy. Findings suggest that dark tourism may offer a gender-responsive alternative to traditional mental health support, particularly for men who feel alienated by clinical models. These insights have implications for diversifying how mental health services are conceptualised and delivered, and for developing interventions that resonate more fully with male identity frameworks.