We all have heard phrases like’ Man up ’, ‘Be a Man’, or ‘Men don’t cry’. They are no longer words; they have become so huge that we call them Mental Health Stigmas. Unfortunately, men are prone to judgment for talking about mental illness issues and also easily get labelled, which is why they’re afraid to be vulnerable or talk about their wounds openly.
Let’s say your friend met an accident; you’ll make sure they go to the hospital, right? So why does it happen that when he goes through depression, says he’s ‘fine,’ ‘just busy,’ or ‘just not himself’, he doesn’t get a strong reaction? That’s stigmatisation, and it’s worse because it makes us believe that support is off the table, and frankly, too many Aussies are going through this silently.
They quietly suffer social anxiety, depression, and burnout because they do not want to be judged or seem weak or a burden. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW says men suffer more emotional distress but are less likely than women to access support services.
The statistics paint a devastating picture. In 2024, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that more than three-quarters (76.5%) of people who died by suicide in Australia were men, with 2,529 lives lost.
These figures reinforce why breaking down stigma and seeking support in Adelaide and the rest of Australia are so important.
Key Points
- Mental health is one of the top barriers for Australian people in need of support.
- Masculinity, workplace culture, and societal pressure contribute to increasing emotional distress.
- Depression varies between genders. In males, it often shows up as irritability, tiredness, or withdrawal, or as noticeable changes in behaviour.
- Having open conversations will create an accepting and safe environment for men to seek help.
- In Adelaide, early intervention and long-term benefits are possible with help from professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, and GPs.
Forms of Mental Health Stigma
Stigma isn’t always loud; it can be quiet and invisible. At times, it is about people making derogatory remarks about depression or anxiety, but not always. Sometimes it’s your own voice that tells you, “You should be able to handle it on your own,” or “You can’t be a failure.” It’s not linear; instead, it comes in different forms.
Here are the three main forms:
- Public Stigma: It’s when people either misunderstand a person going through trauma or anxiety; instead, they criticise the victim’s psychological condition.
- Self-stigma: It is a person’s own negative beliefs about emotional health, such as ” don’t cry,” “deal with it yourself,” or “don’t show weakness”, that prevent them from reaching out for help.
- Structural Stigma: It is collectively formed by society through policies and workplace culture that prevent people from seeking help.
Understanding the Impact of Stigma
Think about hearing for years, “don’t let people know you’re struggling.” While such comments seem benign, they have an impact. They shape how victims respond to emotional challenges, and instead of seeking help, they get discouraged. As if they can get through it without speaking up, by distracting themselves and blowing off the considerable emotional and mental burden they are experiencing. Eventually, the overwhelming feeling becomes a new normal.
This is one reason concerns over psychological well-being often get ignored. Because depression and anxiety aren’t obvious, most of the time people handle them with irritation or frustration, snapping at family over the smallest things. Other times, it comes with quitting. People quit activities they once enjoyed, such as going to the gym, drinking or hanging out with friends on weekends.
Since the changes occur slowly, these symptoms are often considered normal stress and setbacks in daily life. And by the time they pause, they are already carrying the burden for a lot longer than they think. When you know that you should be able to do it yourself, asking for help becomes another challenge.
Mental Health Issues in Young Men
The twenties are expected to be the most fun and carefree years of one’s life. But instead, for some young people, it is the most overwhelming and stressful time. They go after success and the fast life that comes with it while also balancing their health, social life, and relationships. The expectations of early adulthood teach them to cope with their struggles alone.
Social media also plays its role; seeing other people’s seemingly easy success with fitness, money, and relationships makes young people compare themselves more and feel less self-esteem. On top of it, the rising cost of living and an uncertain future put pressure on even the most seemingly well-adjusted.
It’s not easy to identify the signs of depression, as they never stop attending work or university, hanging out with friends, and they keep doing all the things they are expected to do while they are really struggling in silence. This is one of the reasons anxiety is one of the top-tier mental health issues many teens are going through in this era.
As per Beyond Blue, around one in seven young men aged 16-24 experience anxiety or depression each year; still, a lot of them dismiss their symptoms as a normal part of growing up or believe they’ll eventually “get over it.”
Since they don’t say how they feel, they start looking for new ways to release their emotional pain that could involve distractions, video games, and substance use. The hardest part isn’t figuring out how to say they need help; it’s believing they deserve help before things reach a breaking point.
Hidden Cost of Ignoring Psychological Wellbeing
Unhealed mental wounds not only harm the sufferer, but also ultimately damage relationships people have with their coworkers and family members. At times, the sufferers completely lose their minds, which makes them irritable and can even cause them to be more withdrawn. If they have children, that’s worse because it can lead to childhood trauma in their future.
In the workplace, depression will cause people to lose focus, make wrong decisions, and have a lack of productivity and motivation. Many people will continue to go to work while in an emotionally distressing state because of the fear that they will be seen as the employee who is struggling the most.
Nobody is wholly affected by stigma alone. Affected individuals may impact families, workplaces, and even whole communities. This is why it is important to talk about it, in addition to improving mental health resources.
Breaking the Stigma: Why Open Conversations Matter
If one of the main barriers in seeking psychological care is silence, then talking about it should be the solution. Societal barriers make it difficult for people to talk about their problems. At times, they are often afraid of questions like: Will people understand? What if they are told to suck it up and move on? Will they be judged?
That’s one of the main reasons why open conversations matter a lot! And it does not have to be perfect; it also does not have to occur around a kitchen table or over coffee. Sometimes, it can be a lot easier to be away from the daily life hustle. The fact that someone is simply willing to listen and is not judgemental makes things go so much easier.
It’s been seen that the shift is already happening across Australia. Campaigns such as R U OK? and Beyond Blue have taken the lead in encouraging check-ins with family, colleagues, and friends.
And it’s worth acknowledging that these campaigns have an enormous impact in breaking stereotypes. As the stigma surrounding mental health continues to be broken, people know they can and should reach out for support.
Steps Toward Breaking the Stigma
We can change the stigma around men’s mental health in many ways: actions, conversations, programs, and even one positive step at a time.
- Stigma is broken by small things in life; action is important.
- Let’s stop thinking that being vulnerable is weak.
- Speak about emotional health as you speak about physical health.
- We need to reach out to friends and family often, not just when they are struggling.
- Speak to your workplace leaders about making work a safe space to talk about psychological issues.
- Replace the negative mental health stigma by talking about emotional wellbeing in a positive and informational manner.
This is the culture we want to create where people know they are not alone and can seek help without shame.
How to Support Men’s Mental Health
The instinct to resolve the situation immediately is common when the behaviour of people you love begins to concern you. However, the most meaningful support is offered when the first step is hearing the person out.
Start the Conversation
If your friend, brother, partner, colleague, or someone you care about suddenly seems withdrawn, irritable, or keeps insisting they’re “just tired,” try approaching them with curiosity rather than rushing to solve the problem. A simple question like, “You don’t seem like yourself lately. Is everything okay?” can create a safe space for them to open up.
Encourage Healthy Habits
While you can’t force healthy habits, you can gently encourage them and offer practical support. Invite them to go for a walk, cook a healthy meal together, or suggest an activity they usually enjoy without putting pressure on them. Small routines like regular movement, balanced meals, quality sleep, and spending time outdoors can support overall mental wellbeing.
Build Connections
People experiencing mental health challenges often withdraw from family, friends, and social activities. Rather than waiting for them to reach out, make the first move. A quick text, a phone call, or an invitation for coffee can remind them they aren’t alone. If they’re comfortable, encourage them to reconnect with trusted friends, family members, or community groups that help them feel supported and included.
Help Them Create an Action Plan
If they’re ready, work together to create a simple plan for managing difficult days. This doesn’t have to be complicated. It might include setting small daily goals, identifying healthy coping strategies, planning regular physical activity, improving sleep routines, or scheduling time for enjoyable activities.
How Men in Adelaide Can Get Professional Help
When looking for help, the initial question is often, ‘Where to begin to search for help?’
Mental health support isn’t one-size-fits-all, and not everyone needs the same type of support. Some people might need help through psychological therapy. Others might require a more thorough assessment to gain insight, while some do not fall into either category, as they find help through a balance of psychological and psychiatric services.
Whatever route is chosen, the most important thing to remember is that support should never be done in isolation. Mental health support professionals have the knowledge to help you understand the reasons for the symptoms, inform you about the options that are available, and help formulate the most appropriate and individualised strategy.
Mental Health Services at Elyséa HEALTH
At Elyséa HEALTH, our clinicians understand that sometimes, especially for men in our communities, the first step in mental health care is the hardest step to take. This can happen if your outreach for mental health care has been a difficult, sensitive, and first-time-ever experience.
Our mental health experts are committed to delivering a personalised, evidence-based approach to mental health care that takes into account your unique situation and objectives.
Our mental health services include:
- Psychological support for a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and so on.
- Assessment and care of mental health from a psychiatric perspective.
- Treatment that is personalised to your situation.
- Collaborative care, where psychologists, psychiatrists, and your GP can work together when appropriate to ensure you receive coordinated support.
If you identify with some of the above, it would be better to seek support now rather than when it is too late. Taking that first step, no matter how small, can make a world of difference.
Conclusion
Changing the perception of mental health in men means recognising that putting your hand up for help is one of the bravest and strongest things a person can do. While stigma in Australia creates a mental block to express true feelings, there is a slow shift in attitudes to be more supportive no matter the circumstances.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms such as chronic stress, anxiety or depression, it is important not to wait till you can’t take it anymore to take the first step. The first step is to speak to someone you trust, and it can be the beginning of many positive changes.
At Elyséa HEALTH in Adelaide, our psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health professionals offer customised mental health solutions based on evidence-based practices. If you are seeking mental health services, take your first step, as assistance is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is men’s mental health important?
Men’s mental health can affect all aspects of their lives. This includes interpersonal relationships, physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. If mental health issues are left untreated, they may lead to larger issues for the man and others in the future.
What are the common signs of depression in men?
Common depression symptoms in men include feeling irritated, withdrawing from family and/or friends, changes in sleep and appetite, lack of interest in hobbies, lack of focus and concentration, alcohol use, and a sense of being perpetually tired and overwhelmed.
What are the common reasons men are reluctant to pursue mental health treatment?
Many men are raised to believe they should be strong. They think they must handle problems without help because asking for help would be a display of weakness. There’s a fear of being looked down on, pressure from work, and a stigma to showing weakness. Men often don’t even realise a condition exists before deciding to seek help.
What are ways to help a man with mental health concerns?
The first step is to welcome open communication while showing no judgment. The best way to show support is to listen to them instead of trying to fix their problems. When the time is right, offer the idea of professional help.
Where are some of the mental health treatment options for men in Adelaide?
In Adelaide, men can choose from a wide variety of mental health services such as community mental health services, professionals such as GPs, psychologists and psychiatrists, Beyond Blue and Lifeline. Elyséa HEALTH is an example of a service providing mental health services and tailored psychotherapy and psychiatric programs.
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Mental health crisis and support services in Australia include:
SA Mental Health Triage Service (24/7): 13 14 65
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Open Arms Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046
13YARN (First Nations support): 13 92 76
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