JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Male mental health is a global concern, yet many men struggle to express emotional vulnerability due to prevailing masculine norms. Anonymous digital spaces like Reddit and YouTube have emerged as alternative venues for emotional expression, peer support, and resistance to stigma.

Objective:

This study explores how men discuss mental health in anonymous digital communities, examining whether these platforms facilitate emotional openness and challenge hegemonic masculinity norms. It also triangulates digital insights with a qualitative survey and interviews to assess lived experience.

Methods:

A reflexive thematic analysis of 740 posts from Reddit’s r/MaleMentalHealth and 6287 comments from four YouTube TEDx Talks on male mental health was conducted. Thematic findings were then triangulated using open-ended survey responses from 23 male participants and follow-up interviews with 9 participants. Data were analysed through the lens of hegemonic masculinity, toxic positivity, and peer support theory.

Results:

Four core themes emerged across platforms and triangulated data: (1) Normalising emotional expression, (2) Mutual validation and peer support, (3) Coping through humour and irony, and (4) Pushback against toxic positivity and societal norms. These findings reveal that anonymous online platforms serve as “digitally mediated sanctuaries,” enabling men to express emotions, challenge traditional norms, and find affirmation through peer narratives and memes.

Conclusions:

Digital peer spaces offer a transformative alternative to traditional mental health pathways for men, enabling emotional safety, mutual support, and resistance to harmful norms. These findings contribute to evolving models of masculinity and highlight the value of online communities in reshaping how men engage with mental health.