James Donaldson on Mental Health - Cover Story: Men and mental health care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

While 21 News offered stories throughout the month on ways to seek help for depression and other mental health issues, there is one particular group that is still hesitant to reach out...

The most recent suicide figures from the three local counties show that the victims are almost 3 to 1 male.

“Right now, about 75% of the people who have taken their lives in Mahoning County are men,” said Duane Piccirilli, Exec.

Director, Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board.

“Within the last two years, specifically, we've noticed men between the ages of 30 to 69 are most at risk.

That's the age group where we are seeing the most suicide deaths,” said Lynsi Beagle, Dir.

of Prevention, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

Men die by suicide primarily due to a combination of untreated mental health conditions and the use of highly lethal methods like guns.

But why are men less likely than women to seek help?