We need your help to address a systemic issue in our society
Men's Mental Health is deteriorating
According to the most recent Ten to Men: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Male Health report, mental illness is still prevalent among Australian men.
While more than 80% of adult men in the study who had experienced depression, anxiety, or suicidality in the previous 12 months had contacted a GP, only about 40% had contacted a mental health professional.
This is extremely concerning and suggests that men may face a variety of barriers to receiving help when they are suffering from poor mental health. Cost, wait times, stigma surrounding mental health, and the fear that seeking help or talking about feelings will be perceived as weakness may all be potential barriers.
One in eight Australian men will experience depression in their lifetime
12.2% of Australian males aged 16 to 85 have experienced an affective disorder over their lifetime. This is equivalent to at least 1.15 million males today.
One in five Australian men will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime
20.4% of Australian males aged 16 to 85 have experienced an anxiety disorder over their lifetime. This is equivalent to at least 1.93 million males today.
Every day in Australia, approximately seven men die by suicide.
In 2019, an average of 6.9 men died by suicide every day across Australia. Three times as many men as women took their lives in 2019.
Men's suppression of emotions has negative external consequences.
Substance Abuse
Around 1 in 20 Australians has an addiction or substance abuse problem. It can result in changes and long-term damage to the brain and other organs. Substance abuse is a major cause of mental illness.
Gambling Addiction
The social costs of gambling – including adverse financial impacts, emotional and psychological costs, relationship and family impacts, and productivity loss and work impacts – have been estimated at around $7 billion in Victoria alone.
Domestic Violence
1 in 6 women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner. In 2021-22 domestic violence was the main reason why more than 72,900 people asked for help from specialist homelessness services
What is the Mentor Movement?
The Mentor Movement believes that by providing men with resources and support to help them understand and address their own behaviours and emotions, we can create a ripple effect that reduces domestic violence incidents.
We believe that this can only be accomplished through a collaborative community effort, and we welcome your ideas and feedback on how we can make this initiative a reality.
We need your help to address this issue in our society:
When Gavin Larkin founded RUOK?, no one was talking about mental health. 14 years later, RUOK? is in almost every Australian school, organisation, and business.
The Mentor Movement will grow and develop as great minds and ideas circulate, spreading this message; similar to RUOK?. We would appreciate your assistance in assisting Men to achieve emotional mastery and for everyone to feel safe in their homes.
