Young men need to look after mental health

Kids Helpline is encouraging boys and young men on the Central Coast to take time to prioritise their mental health as part of International Men’s Health Week (June 9-15).

CEO of yourtown Tracy Adams says this is an important date for all members of the community, but particularly young men and those with young men in their lives, to build a positive culture around mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Males are shown to have significantly reduced help-seeking for mental health concerns compared with females, including on the Central Coast.

Kids Helpline recorded 57 contacts from males on an average day in May 2025, when compared with 195 females on the same day.

Counsellors at Kids Helpline respond to 21% males and 79% females on any given day, with males aged between 19 and 25 representing the largest (37%) male help-seeking group.

“Unfortunately, young males aged between 15 and 18 are the least likely to seek mental health support due to societal stigma, often delaying seeking professional counsellor help until they are in crisis,” Adams said.

“Many boys, though certainly not all, have trouble talking about emotions and feelings because social norms have encouraged them to conform to a masculine ideal that emphasizes values like stoicism, toughness, and competitiveness.

“These social dynamics have long-term implications for their mental health.

“We need to twist the prism a little bit about how boys view mental health and their own emotional health.”

Kids Helpline offers boys and young men a safe, inclusive space to open-up and connect with a free, professional, confidential 24/7 service to support self-awareness, and tools to help manage strong emotions when they struggle.

“As a community, weeks like these give as a great opportunity to engage with boys and young men their well-being,” Adams said.

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only national 24/7 counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 and is a service of yourtown – free call 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au