"We Don't Stay Where We Feel Weak": Experiences of Men Discontinuing Mental Health Services in Türkiye

Men continue to underutilize and disengage from mental health services, highlighting the need to understand this pattern. This study explored Turkish men's experiences of discontinuing mental health treatment using a descriptive qualitative design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 men who had ended therapy. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: the process of initiating treatment, experiences in the treatment process, and reasons for discontinuing treatment. Findings showed that hegemonic masculinity shaped men's engagement with care, as masculine norms often conflicted with recognizing mental illness, seeking help, and engaging in emotional disclosure during treatment. Even when symptoms were acknowledged, doubts about treatment effectiveness, cost, stigma, difficulty accepting mental illness, fear of failure, and concerns about being negatively evaluated by clinicians contributed to disengagement. The study calls for gender-sensitive, accessible services, clinician training in relational and cultural responsiveness, and structured approaches that align with men's values and support sustained engagement.