A new report by Pilot, titled Man Up and get over it – Australian Men’s Health Laid Bare – has revealed the often silent struggles faced by men across the country in reconciling societal pressures, body image, and mental health challenges. A key finding? Over half of the men surveyed experienced anxiety and stress, while 46% have battled depressive moods – yet nearly 1 in 5 won’t seek professional help due to embarrassment or lack of awareness. Pilot is Eucalyptus’ digital clinic for men, with Eucalyptus being an Aussie health startup and global telehealth provider.
So, what are some of the biggest barriers preventing men from seeking professional help for their mental health? Dr Matt Vickers – GP and Clinical Director at Eucalyptus – points to several factors, including cultural expectations around masculinity. “Many men grow up with the idea that they need to be ‘tough,’ ‘stoic,’ or “independent,” and that asking for help or showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness,” Dr Vickers tells Missing Perspectives. “These deeply ingrained cultural norms can make it difficult for men to acknowledge their emotional struggles or to seek support.”
Dr Vickers also points to a fear of judgment, noting that men are often being judged or ridiculed for seeking help. “ There’s still a social perception in some circles that men should handle problems on their own,” he says. “This can lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment when they consider talking about their mental health issues.” He says that while there has been significant progress in recent years, mental health issues among men are still often seen as taboo in many contexts.
“The Pilot report revealed that men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, often linked to unaddressed mental health struggles, and this is partly due to the cultural factors mentioned above,” he says. “However, the conversation is evolving, especially as younger generations are more open about mental health. The rise of men’s mental health advocates, as well as increased representation of men talking about their emotional health in the media, is helping to shift these perspectives.”
The idea of “stoicism” seems to be, at least historically, an important part of traditional masculinity, which can arguably lead to emotional suppression. So how does Dr Vickers think that men can embrace emotional vulnerability without feeling like they are “losing” their masculinity?
“Society often ties masculinity to strength, stoicism, and self-sufficiency, which can make men feel like opening up emotionally is a weakness. But in reality, vulnerability is a form of emotional strength,” he says. Dr Vickers believes it’s important to reframe vulnerability as strength: “Men can view vulnerability not as a sign of weakness but as an essential aspect of emotional intelligence. Being vulnerable allows for growth and deeper connections with others, which can be incredibly empowering.”
Susan Jankovic is the Co-CEO of TIACS, a professional mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, farmers and blue collar workers. She agrees, saying: “Many misconceptions prevent men from seeking mental health support, such as the belief that they should always be strong, stoic, and self-reliant, or that mental health struggles are a sign of weakness.”
“Some men also feel that therapy is only for those in crisis, that talking about emotions is uncomfortable, or that seeking help makes them less ‘manly.’ These ideas are reinforced by outdated gender norms that view vulnerability as a flaw and therapy as unnecessary or inaccessible. To overcome these barriers, we need to normalise mental health conversations, celebrate emotional openness, and educate men about the benefits of therapy. By promoting positive role models and making mental health support more accessible, we can help men feel empowered to seek help, leading to better emotional well-being and healthier relationships.
To Susan, with figures like Andrew Tate continuing to rise, one thing is clear: we need to reshape the conversation around masculinity and promote alternative positive role models who embody emotional health, vulnerability, and respect in their masculinity.
If you or anyone you know requires confidential support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue.
Top photo source: Canva
