“A man’s courage isn’t measured by what he endures in silence, but by what he’s willing to heal.”
The importance of mental health cannot be overstated. This importance and coverage should be considered without any form of gender bias. That means, everyone’s’ mental health matters, regardless of gender. However, this month, we focus a bit more on men’s gentle health as we celebrate Movember.
What is Movember?
Movember is a non-profit organization and charity that advocates for men’s health in Australia. They focus on different frameworks applicable to the male gender, such as Mental health and suicide prevention, Prostate and Testicular Cancer and just difficulties in being a man. One reason why this is highlighted is because of the gender role that males adopt. Masculinity is associated with strength,m and seeking help can be interpreted as a sign of weakness. Therefore, across cultures, men often find it difficult to seek help and talk about their mental and physical health issues, as they fear judgement from society. Below, I will share some prevalent statistics about men’s mental health in Australia to highlight the severity of this issue.
Current state of Men’s mental health in Australia
¼ of Australian males will experience at least one clinically diagnosed mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Amongst boys, anxiety is the most common mental health disorder.
As they get older, depression then became the most common mental health disorder after the ages of 15.
40% of men who experienced severe depression have reported to relapse within two years.
Only 25% of Australian men stated that they would seek help from a mental health specialist, with a smaller percentage of them less willing to seek help from a phone helpline.
Diagnosed Mental health disorder
Some of the common mental health disorders that Australian males suffer from include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The highest prevalent mental disorders, depression and anxiety, often lead to a higher rate of suicidal rates amongst Australian males. Leading causes of depression and anxiety are loneliness and a lack of social connection.
Suicidality; Prevalence, correlation and escalation
- Among males ages 15 to 44 in Australia, it is found that the most problematic disease burden is mainly suicide, self-inflicted injuries, and alcohol-use disorders.
- Male suicide rate is three times of females in Australia, with an average of six reported cases of male suicides daily.
- Highest rates of suicide for males are among those 30 to 59 years of age.
Importance of social connection
Social Isolation and Loneliness are the two key predictors of depression and anxiety amongst males in Australia. Social isolation refers to the difference between the desired social interaction and the actual amount of social interaction, whereas loneliness is just the perceived lack of social connection the individuals may have.
Overcoming the loneliness pandemic
Here are some activities that you could do to either help connect with others, or activities you could engage in if you feel lonely:
1. Community and Group Activities
Joining local clubs such as sporting teams, clubs, social hobby clubs or even interest-based groups on online platforms can all help build bonds through shared activities.
In Australia, one workshop to look at could be Men’s Shed, a popular grassroot workshop in Australia, where men could come together to learn new skills and work on projects together.
2. Casual Social Opportunities
Participating in everyday environments like sports clubs, workplaces, or online forums where men already spend time can be leveraged for social connections. Even simple shared tasks like walking together or just watching sports together have been shown to establish social connections amongst participants.
One of the most pressing challenges we face at Athenie’s Angels is the significant gap in engagement from young males when it comes to mental health. Males and mental health—particularly the reluctance to acknowledge or address emotional distress—remains a deeply rooted issue in our community. Despite increased awareness, many young men continue to struggle in silence due to stigma, societal expectations, and limited safe spaces where vulnerability feels acceptable.
This challenge is not theoretical; it is something we encounter every day. In our programs, 98% of participants are women, which highlights the real and urgent need to create pathways that help young males understand, articulate, and manage their emotions. Their absence is not a reflection of lack of need—rather, it signals the barriers they face in stepping forward.
Our organisation is committed to breaking this cycle. By fostering open conversations, providing culturally sensitive and youth-friendly tools, and reshaping the narrative around emotional expression, we aim to reach young males where they are and support them in ways that feel safe, accessible, and empowering.
Male mental health is not a side issue—it is a critical part of our mission. Their voices, experiences, and wellbeing matter, and addressing this gap is essential to building healthier families, stronger communities, and a future where no young person feels they `
UPCOMING MENTAL HEALTH EVENT
With that spirit in mind, we are delighted to invite you to our third annual event, Journey to Joy 2025—a vibrant celebration of community, connection, and collective wellbeing. This year’s event promises to be our biggest and most uplifting yet, filled with meaningful activities and joyful surprises.
Attendees can look forward to an exciting range of raffles, prizes, giveaways, and silent auctions, featuring some of the best practical gifts and experiences from our generous supporters. Beyond the fun, Journey to Joy 2025 is an opportunity to unite as a community, spark important conversations, and help break down the barriers that keep so many—especially young males—from seeking mental health support.
It’s more than an event. It’s a movement of hope, healing, and joy—and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Come and Join us in the celebration!
We’re a place of hope!