Spotlight on men’s mental health – is he fine on paper?

He has a big job, a busy calendar and nothing is obviously wrong; he seems okay – but is he? This Movember, two mental health clinicians from The Cabin Group, RYAN ERIPSE and TIM PANAGOS, share insights on why many men struggle quietly, what to look for in yourself and in the young men in your life, and when it’s time to get proper help.

Why do so many men struggle quietly with their mental health, especially when living abroad?

Ryan: Expat life can make it easy to “hide”. Family is far away, work drinks are part of the job, and every move resets your circle of friends. Statistics show that in Singapore, one in four adults aged 18 to 29 reported poor mental health in 2024, the highest of any age group. Suicide has been the leading cause of death among 10- to 29-year-olds for seven years running, and around two in three suicide deaths in 2024 were men.

What does “fine on paper” look like?

Ryan: Usually, it’s a man who is performing well at work and quietly running out of road everywhere else. He drinks most nights “to switch off”, sleeps badly, is short with his partner and has stopped seeing friends. Men rarely call it anxiety or depression. They call it stress, and they treat it with whatever works fastest.

When does it become more than a rough patch?

Ryan: Watch for patterns rather than single bad nights. These may include needing a drink to unwind most days, playing down how much he’s drinking, trying to cut back and not managing it, and spending weekends hungover and recovering. A partner has typically raised concern more than once.

The same applies to using drugs or prescription medication or to gambling. If you have tried to change these habits on your own and the changes haven’t held, it may be time to seek help. Do remember that these patterns are very common and not a personal failure.

When is residential treatment the right step?

Ryan: When stopping needs medical supervision, when attempts at outpatient mental health support have not worked, or when the daily environment keeps pulling someone back into the same destructive habits. Stepping away gives people the time and structure to deal with what is driving the behaviour.

At The Cabin in Chiang Mai, clients have full medical withdrawal supervision from day one if they need it, 24-hour nursing and a four-to-one clientto-counsellor ratio with one of the most clinically experienced rehab teams in Southeast Asia. We have treated more than 7,000 clients since 2009, so we have a proven track record of effective treatment.

What about younger men’s mental health?

Tim: Many expat families have sons aged 18 to 29 who are at university or in their first job on another continent. Warning signs are harder to spot on a video call. These may include contact dropping off, requests for money, missed exams, sleeping through the day and long nights of gaming or betting. Young men often won’t say they’re struggling, but their routines will show it.

Why a separate programme for young men?

Tim: Young men often give you very little across a desk, but they will talk while they’re doing something demanding. At The Edge, in the mountains of Crete, we combine evidence-based therapy, including CBT, DBT and trauma work, with triathlon training, cycling, swimming and wilderness challenges. The physical training isn’t necessarily the therapy, but it is what makes the therapy more reachable for many men.

What should a worried partner or parent do first?

Tim: Ask them directly and calmly about how they’re coping, and do not wait for a crisis. Then encourage them to seek a professional, clinical assessment rather than trying to judge the situation yourself. Ryan: Talking to someone costs nothing, and it is confidential. The earlier the conversation happens, the more practical options there are for treatment and recovery.

The Movember movement for men’s mental health

Held every November, Movember began in 2003 when friends Travis Garone and Luke Slattery challenged a few mates to grow a moustache for the month. This led to a serious conversation about men’s health, which has since grown into a global movement that has funded over 1,600 projects across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Yearround, it works with communities, researchers and governments on programmes that help men live healthier, longer lives.

About these mental health clinicians

Ryan Eripse is the Clinical Director of The Cabin Group, which runs The Cabin Chiang Mai. He is an experienced addiction therapist from South Africa and leads his team in developing programmes and empowering clients through evidence-based, trauma-informed care.

Tim Panagos, Head of Clinical Services at The Edge, leads the Group’s Young Men’s Programme in Crete. He is a Greek national and an experienced therapist with a focus on helping young men.

3158 7621 | thecabinchiangmai.com | theedgerehab.com

This article on men’s mental health, the Movember movement and The Cabin Chiang Mai first appeared in the November 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.

Interested in knowing about editorial options? Email us at [email protected].