There are some things that are hard to talk about, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about them.
June marks Men’s Health Week (9 to 15 June), a time to bring awareness to the challenges many men face, often in silence. This year I’ve found myself reflecting more deeply on what this week means, because of a memory that never really leaves me.
One year in early June, when I was a kid, one of my closest childhood friends lost his life in a family tragedy I still struggle to make sense of. His father, who had been battling serious mental health issues, took the lives of his entire family – my friend included – and then his own.
It happened in my hometown in a small rural community where mental health, especially men’s mental health, was rarely talked about. These deaths had a profound impact on their family and friends, and right across our small community.
Forty years on, and given the benefit of wisdom and time, I have been thinking about whether things might’ve turned out differently if talking about mental health felt safer, if help had been easier to reach, or if silence wasn’t mistaken for strength.
The truth is, we still have a long way to go. The statistics are sobering:
- Nine people die by suicide each day in Australia – seven of them are men.
- Suicide is now the leading cause of death in Australian men under 65.
- Men and boys account for 3 in 4 suicides.
- In regional and rural areas, where support is harder to access, the rates are even higher.
- Men with disability are also more likely to experience mental and behavioural disorders, especially if they have more complex support needs.
Despite all we know, too many men are still dying too young from causes we could potentially prevent.
That’s why “See a GP”, the theme for Men’s Health Week 2025, is so important. GPs can be a key support, not just for physical health, but for mental health too. Through something as simple as a check-in, or a Mental Health Care Plan, they can help make the connection to the right care.
Some men might not be in crisis, but maybe they’re not feeling like themselves either. That’s reason enough to reach out.
For those not ready to speak with a GP, there are other ways to explore support in a low-pressure way. Resources like Mensline Australia, Doing it Tough, and How to help a mate doing it tough, can be a starting point.
Everyone has a role to play. Family, friends, employers, health professionals. Sometimes just being available, listening without judgement, or encouraging someone to take that next step can make a meaningful difference.
Let’s think about how we can show up for the men in our lives, not just this week but every week.
In remembrance of Ross, Carol, Steven and Sara.