Men’s Mental Health Week: Talking About the Tough Stuff
Men’s Health Week (15–21 June 2026) is a timely reminder to pause and check in on something that often goes unspoken: how men are really doing.
For a lot of men, talking about men’s mental health doesn’t always come easily.
That doesn’t mean they don’t care, or that they don’t want support. Sometimes it means they’ve spent years being told, directly or indirectly, to push through, stay strong, keep busy, or deal with things on their own.
Over time, that can make it harder to recognise when something isn’t okay, let alone say it out loud.
But talking about the tough stuff matters.
Not because every conversation needs to be big, emotional or perfectly worded, but because small moments of honesty can create connection, reduce shame and help people feel less alone.
Introduction to mental health
Mental health is just as important as physical health, shaping how we think, feel, and act in our day-to-day life. For many men, mental health problems can be hard to talk about, often because of stigma or the belief that they should handle things on their own.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2,419 Australian men died by suicide in 2023, with men aged 40 to 60 facing some of the highest levels of risk.
In Australia, men are less likely to speak openly about their emotions or seek support when they’re struggling, which can increase the risk of mental illness and even suicide. Recognising the importance of mental health is the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life.
By encouraging honest conversations and supporting each other, we can help reduce the stigma around mental health and show that looking after your mental wellbeing is a healthy way to live. Every man deserves to feel supported and understood – because mental health matters for everyone’s health and wellbeing.
Why talking can be hard
From a young age, many men are taught to be capable, dependable and self-reliant. These qualities can be strengths, but they can also make it difficult to ask for support when life becomes heavy. According to Beyond Blue, only 37% of men and boys reach out for support when they need it, often due to the stigma surrounding men’s mental health that discourages them from seeking support.
Phrases like “you’ll be right”, “just get on with it” or “toughen up” can shape how men respond when they’re finding things tough. Instead of naming what’s going on, they might just keep going, withdraw, work harder, or try to manage things privately.
There can also be a fear that opening up might:
- Feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar
- Be seen as weakness
- Burden someone else
- Make things awkward; or
- Not change anything anyway
For men in regional and rural communities, there can be extra layers.
Distance, long work hours, financial pressure, farming stress, FIFO work, community expectations and limited access to services can all make it harder to reach out. Two-thirds of Australian men wait too long to see a doctor when a health issue arises, further compounding the problem.
This is why safe, local and practical conversations matter, especially in communities where distance can make support harder to access.
What struggling can look like
Mental health challenges don’t always show up in obvious ways, and distress doesn’t always look the same.
For some, it’s sadness or tearfulness. For others, it shows up as irritability, anger (which can manifest as aggression or emotional distress), silence, exhaustion, or pulling away from people and activities they usually enjoy.
Other signs include:
- Feeling constantly tired, flat or overwhelmed, or experiencing physical symptoms in the body such as aches or exhaustion
- Withdrawing from family, mates or community life (social isolation)
- Becoming more frustrated, reactive, angry or short-tempered
- Sleeping poorly or finding it hard to switch off
- Drinking or using substances more than usual
- Throwing themselves into work or staying busy to avoid slowing down
- Losing interest in things that normally matter
- Feeling like they have to handle everything alone
- Changes in behaviour, such as withdrawal, increased reliance on substances, or social isolation
These experiences are common – approximately 1 in 8 men experience depression at some point in their life. Depression is treatable with appropriate support, such as medication or professional help. These signs are not something to ignore, especially if they continue, intensify, or begin impacting relationships, work, family life or day-to-day wellbeing.
Starting the conversation
Talking about how you’re doing doesn’t need to be a formal sit-down conversation.
It can feel easier when there isn’t any pressure, whether you’re at the footy club, around the kitchen table, on a work site, down on the farm, or catching up after training.
If you’re worried about someone, it’s important to be emotionally aware and notice any changes in their mood or behaviour. Start with something simple:
- “How have things been lately?”
- “You don’t seem quite yourself… want to talk?”
- “I’ve noticed you’ve had a lot on. How are you holding up?”
- “No pressure to talk now, but I’m here.”
You don’t have to have the perfect words. The most important thing is to listen without rushing to fix everything. If someone seems to be struggling, don’t hesitate to offer additional support or let them know you’re there for them.
Sometimes, the first conversation might not go very far. That’s okay. Letting someone know the door is open can make all the difference.
If you’re the one finding things tough
If you’re having a rough time, you don’t need to wait until things are at breaking point. And you don’t need to prove that things are “bad enough” before asking for support.
Starting small is enough.
That might sound like:
- “I’ve been a bit off lately.”
- “I’m not really coping as well as I usually do.”
- “I don’t know what I need, but I think I need to talk.”
- “Can we catch up? I’ve had a lot going on.”
Staying connected to others is vital for your mental health. Spending time with friends and engaging in social activities can help you feel supported, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and make it easier to notice when you or someone else might be struggling.
It could also start with speaking to your GP, a counsellor, support service, trusted mate, family member, community leader or someone at work.
Building a culture where men’s mental health is supported
Holyoake’s 4ME & MEN EVERYWHERE campaign is built around a simple but powerful message: men’s mental health matters.
Whether you’re at the footy club, around the kitchen table, on a work site, down on the farm, or at the pub after training, we all have a role in making it easier for men to speak up before things reach breaking point.
Local government councils, community organisations, and men’s mental health groups host a range of activities during Men’s Health Week to support male mental health. The goal of Men’s Health Week is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems, reduce social stigma, and encourage early intervention for both physical and mental health issues.
That might mean checking in on a mate who has gone quiet. Creating space for real conversations at work. Encouraging the blokes in your community to attend a group, training session or local wellbeing event. Or it might mean modelling to the next generation that strength and support can exist together. Take on a challenge, like joining a cycling or running event, to promote mental health and community engagement.
Men shouldn’t have to wait until crisis point to feel able to talk.
Men’s Health Week 2026 activities and support in Perth
Men’s Health Week 2026 runs from 15 to 21 June, with several Perth and national activities helping men connect, move and talk about mental health.
Blokes & Bridges Walk
Held on Saturday 13 June 2026, 8:30am to 11:30am, this Perth walk brings people together at Swan River Rowing Club in Mount Pleasant to support men’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Book here.
The Push-Up Challenge
Running from 3 to 26 June 2026, The Push-Up Challenge invites Australians to complete 3,307 push-ups over 24 days to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
Mr Perfect Community BBQs
Mr Perfect runs relaxed, free BBQs where men can connect and chat without pressure. Perth-area and wider WA BBQs during June 2026 include Whiteman on 7 June, Geraldton on 7 June, Safety Bay and South Perth on 14 June, and Fremantle and Cannington on 21 June.
Activities like these can make it easier for men to spend time with others, check in on mates and start conversations before things reach crisis point.
You don’t have to carry it alone
Men’s Health Week is a reminder that mental health is part of overall health. It’s also a reminder that conversations don’t have to be perfect to matter.
A simple check-in, a moment of honesty, or the willingness to quietly sit next to someone without pressure can be the start of something important.
And if you’re finding things tough, support is available.
Support through Holyoake
Holyoake offers free, confidential support for individuals, families and communities across metro and regional WA. If you are struggling during Men’s Mental Health Week, remember that seeking support is a sign of strength – additional help is available through Holyoake whenever you’re ready.
Men’s group counselling
For men affected by alcohol or other drug use, whether their own or someone else’s, Holyoake’s Men’s Group Counselling provides a safe space to share experiences, gain support, build connection and explore practical ways forward. The program includes 12 weekly therapeutic peer-group sessions, with no pressure to speak before you’re ready.
Learn more about Holyoake’s Men’s Group Counselling.
Ross’s story
Support for rural and agricultural communities
Holyoake’s specialist training and education supports farmers, families, frontline workers and industry leaders to build skills around stress, mental health, supporting others and community resilience, while also helping rural men stay connected to their communities and support networks. Training is available across the Wheatbelt, Mid West, Goldfields, Great Southern and South West.
If you need immediate crisis support:
Frequently Asked Questions
Men’s Health Week is an annual awareness week (15–21 June in 2026) that highlights men’s health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health and preventative care.
Many men grow up with messages about being strong, independent and able to cope on their own. This can make it harder to recognise distress or ask for support, even when things are becoming difficult.
Signs can include withdrawing from others, becoming more irritable, feeling constantly tired or flat, sleeping poorly, drinking more than usual, staying overly busy, or losing interest in things they normally enjoy.
Keep it simple and low-pressure. You might ask, “How have things been lately?” or “You don’t seem quite yourself – want to talk?” Choose a relaxed setting and listen without trying to fix everything straight away.
Men in WA can access free counselling through Holyoake (metro and regional), speak to their GP, or contact crisis lines like Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
