As the hairy season nears a close, new research from Movember shows that men’s mental health is still in crisis, with two thirds of young men feeling like society doesn’t understand them, and more than a third feeling like they have no one they could really count on. 

Most mental health disorders will onset by the age of 14, so early intervention is critical. The fact that 38 per cent of young men across Australia admit that they are not reaching out when they are struggling with their mental health, highlights the incredible need for improvement in this space. 

Anxiety and pressure around being a man are impacting young men, with more than half (51%) feeling increasingly anxious about their future and feeling weighed down by the pressure around being a man today (54%).

In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged 15-54 and men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, with over 6 men dying by suicide every day.

Key Findings

• 39% of young Aussie men feel they have no one they can really count on.
• 38% have not reached out for help or support when struggling with their mental health. 
• More than half (54%) of young Australian men feel pressure around being a man, and two-thirds (66%) feel society doesn’t understand young men.
• Four in five (81%) young Aussie men feel that the current media focus on the impact of masculinity on men’s wellbeing was an important one.

Commenting on the latest findings, Movember’s Director of Mental Health Training, Dr Zac Seidler, said the findings show we need to think differently about men.

“It is heartbreaking to see that so many young men don’t feel like they have anyone they can count on and that they feel pressured about being a man,” said Dr Seidler.

“While Movember has achieved a lot in our 19 years, we know there’s more work to be done to help change the face of men’s health.

“The findings highlight that as a society, we need to think differently about men and make them part of the conversation.

“The passive attitude that this is ‘just how it is’ and that ‘this is all there is’ needs to change.

“Policy makers, the media, and health professionals need to ask more questions to the next generation of men on what they need and how they feel, in order to make young men feel valued and understood, to ultimately help save lives.”

Movember’s APAC Country Director Rachel Carr said it is unsettling to see so many men struggling.

“As we know suicide is the leading cause of death for young Men in Australia, losing on average six men a day,” said Carr.

“It’s unnerving to see so many young men struggling, and feeling pressure about where to turn for help.

“With Movember coming to a close, there’s still time to show your support this hairy season.

“Every donation – no matter how big or small – really does save lives and we need to continue to have these important conversations to help our brothers, sons and fathers, all year round.” 

Please give some dough and help save a bro. Your generous donations can help fund lifesaving mental health initiatives and programs like Movember Conversations, Ahead of the Game, WOW Surf n Sand and Family Man. Funds also go towards biomedical research and treatments for other cause areas including prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Let’s do it for the men in our lives. Donate now at www.movember.com or via the Movember app.