The Importance of Men’s Mental Health in Our Communities

Introduction: Why We Must Talk About Men’s Mental Health

Mental health is something that touches every family, every community, and every workplace. Yet, for too long, it has been treated as something that should remain behind closed doors — something to be hidden, endured, or simply “toughed out.” Nowhere is this more evident than in men’s health.

Men often carry heavy burdens in silence. Whether it is the pressure to provide for families, to appear strong at all times, or to navigate the impact of trauma, many men struggle with challenges that they never speak about. This silence can be devastating. Across Australia, men are far more likely to die by suicide than women. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15–44.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, the risks are even higher. Intergenerational trauma, racism, disconnection from land, and systemic disadvantages in health, housing, and employment all combine to make mental health struggles more common and more severe. But despite these challenges, we also know there is incredible resilience, strength, and healing power in culture and community.

That is why at Nungya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, we are passionate about building safe spaces like our Men’s Shed — places where men can reconnect, talk, share, and heal. This article takes a deep dive into the reality of men’s mental health, the unique struggles faced by Indigenous men, and the pathways forward that combine both modern medical approaches and cultural healing practices.

Understanding the Crisis: Statistics on Men’s Mental Health

Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they give us a powerful reminder of why men’s mental health must be a priority.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australian men aged 15–44.
Around 75% of all suicides in Australia are men.
Men are also less likely to access mental health services — only about 40% of men with mental health issues seek professional help, compared to 60% of women.
Indigenous Australians are at least twice as likely to die by suicide compared to non-Indigenous Australians, with some communities experiencing even higher rates.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men often face multiple layers of disadvantage — higher unemployment, poorer physical health, housing stress, and racism — all of which contribute to mental health struggles.

These statistics are heartbreaking, but they also highlight a truth: mental health is not just a “personal issue” — it is a community issue. It affects families, workplaces, children, and future generations.

When a man suffers in silence, the pain ripples outward. When a man dies by suicide, the loss is felt not just by his immediate family but by the entire community.

This is why we must change the conversation.

Why Men Struggle to Seek Help

One of the biggest barriers to improving men’s mental health is the reluctance to seek support. Many men grow up with messages like:

“Real men don’t cry.”
“Don’t be weak.”
“Sort it out yourself.”
“Don’t talk about feelings.”

These messages become internalised, leaving men feeling like they must carry everything alone. Some men fear being judged if they admit to struggling. Others may not even recognise their symptoms as mental health issues, instead thinking they are just “stressed” or “angry.”

Instead of seeking help, men may turn to alcohol, drugs, or risky behaviour as a way to cope. This can create cycles of addiction, violence, or criminal justice involvement — further deepening the struggle.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, these barriers are even greater. There can be:

Mistrust of mainstream health services, due to negative past experiences or systemic racism.
Language and cultural barriers, making it difficult to explain feelings in the Western medical system.
Stigma within communities, where talking about mental health may still be taboo.
A lack of culturally safe spaces where men feel understood and respected.

This is why community-led solutions like yarning circles and Men’s Sheds are so powerful — they meet men where they are, on their terms.

Indigenous Men’s Mental Health: A Deeper Struggle

To understand why Indigenous men are at higher risk, we must look at the broader picture.

Intergenerational Trauma

Colonisation brought enormous disruption: dispossession from land, loss of language, stolen generations, and ongoing discrimination. This trauma does not vanish in one generation — it is passed down through families and communities, affecting mental health in ways that are both visible and invisible.

Racism and Discrimination

Everyday racism, whether in workplaces, schools, or public spaces, chips away at men’s sense of self-worth. Discrimination in healthcare and justice systems can create further barriers to seeking help.

Disconnection from Culture and Country

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, connection to culture and land is central to identity and wellbeing. When men are disconnected from these foundations, mental health suffers.

Socioeconomic Disadvantage

Indigenous Australians are more likely to face unemployment, poverty, poor housing, and chronic health conditions. Each of these factors compounds stress and impacts mental wellbeing.

The Role of Safe Spaces: Why Men’s Sheds and Yarning Circles Work

Despite these challenges, we know what works. Men’s Sheds and yarning circles have proven to be some of the most effective ways to improve men’s mental health.

Men’s Sheds

Men’s Sheds began as practical workshops where men could gather to build and fix things. But they quickly became recognised as mental health lifelines. Inside a Shed, men find:

A non-judgmental space — you don’t have to “be tough” or “have it together.”
Practical activity — working side by side makes it easier to open up.
Friendship and belonging — loneliness is one of the biggest risk factors for poor mental health.
Skill-sharing — men feel valued when they can contribute and teach others.

For Indigenous communities, the Shed is even more powerful when combined with cultural practices like storytelling, art, music, and connection to country.

Yarning Circles

Yarning circles are a traditional and deeply cultural way of sharing knowledge, healing, and building understanding. In a yarning circle:

Everyone is equal — there is no hierarchy.
Each person has a chance to speak without interruption.
The focus is on listening and respect.
Conversations often flow naturally into healing and connection.

When yarning circles are combined with modern support — like having a health worker or counsellor present — they become a bridge between culture and medical care.

Modern Medical Perspectives

While culture and community are vital, we also recognise the role of modern medicine in mental health.

Common Conditions Among Men

Depression — feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or lack of interest in life.
Anxiety — constant worry, racing thoughts, difficulty relaxing.
Substance Use Disorders — using alcohol or drugs as coping mechanisms.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — especially common in men with experiences of violence, incarceration, or trauma.

Treatments That Work

Counselling and Therapy — evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help men understand and reframe their thinking.
Medication — for some men, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are life-changing.
Group Programs — men often respond better in group settings where they don’t feel singled out.
Holistic Care — exercise, diet, sleep, and physical health are directly tied to mental health.

The challenge is making these treatments accessible and culturally safe for Indigenous men.

Cultural Healing Practices

Western medicine is important, but for Indigenous men, cultural healing is equally powerful. Some examples include:

Connection to Country — spending time on land, fishing, hunting, or simply walking country can be profoundly healing.
Cultural Arts — painting, music, and dance as a form of self-expression and storytelling.
Elder Guidance — learning from Elders provides wisdom, belonging, and identity.
Spiritual Practices — ceremonies and rituals that connect men to culture and community.
Language Revitalisation — reconnecting with traditional languages strengthens identity and self-worth.

By combining these practices with modern approaches, we create a holistic model of healing.

Our Vision: How Nungya’s Men’s Shed Will Help

At Nungya, our Men’s Shed is being designed to bring all of these elements together:

A workshop for building and skill-sharing.
A healing space with yarning circles and mental health programs.
A cultural hub for storytelling, art, and connection to country.
A community service space where men give back to families and Elders.

We believe the Shed will not only reduce loneliness and improve mental health but also restore pride, resilience, and hope.

How the Community Can Support Men’s Mental Health

Everyone has a role to play. Here’s how:

Listen without judgment. Sometimes just being there matters more than advice.
Encourage men to seek help. Remind them that talking is strength, not weakness.
Support initiatives like the Men’s Shed. Donations, tools, time, and partnerships all help.
Challenge stigma. Speak openly about mental health in your family and workplace.
Celebrate culture. Strong culture equals strong mental health.

Conclusion: Healing Together

Men’s mental health is not just about statistics. It is about fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, and sons. It is about the men who hold families together, who carry cultural knowledge, and who have so much to give.

The reality is that too many men are lost to silence. Too many carry burdens alone. But it does not have to be this way. With safe spaces like Men’s Sheds, with the power of yarning circles, with the wisdom of Elders and the support of modern medicine, we can change the story.

At Nungya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, we believe in this change. We are building a future where men are not defined by their struggles, but by their strength, their culture, and their connection to community.

Because when men heal, communities heal.

Nungya