An overview of the key helplines and services that are available for men who are in distress or need support:
Men's mental health and suicide prevention
There are a number of social, economic and biological factors at interplay which may influence suicidality in males. In Australia, the suicide rate for males is much higher than the suicide rate for women. For 2019, preliminary data showed a total of 3,318 deaths by suicide in Australia (age-standardised suicide rate 12.9 per 100,000), 2,502 males (19.8 per 100,000) and 816 females (6.3 per 100,000).
Life in Mind acknowledges the importance of men's mental health and wellbeing, specifically the services, organisations, programs, research and resources which exist to support men and boys in the prevention of suicide and mental ill-health across the lifespan.
This page hosts a collection of knowledge in men’s mental health and suicide prevention. Some of the resources available that support male suicide prevention and aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of men are available below including:
- Organisations that focus or have particular interests in male suicide prevention or mental health
- Training to support males in suicide prevention or mental ill-health
- Programs, services and resources that have been developed to improve knowledge and provide support around male suicide prevention and men.
Access more information on suicide amongst men, including protective factors, risk factors and diversity of men here.
Organisations that focus or directly support male suicide prevention
Aboriginal Fathers Stayin' on Track
Aboriginal Fathers Stayin' on Track supports young Aboriginal men becoming fathers by offering web-based information services and personal mentoring.
Australian Men's Shed Association
The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is recognised as one of Australia’s largest male based community development organisations and acts as a central hub for information exchange.
Beyond Blue gives people the confidence to support those around them, making anxiety, depression and suicide part of everyday conversations.
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH)
The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) is a state-wide organisation committed to improving the mental health, wellbeing and resilience of rural and remote residents.
EveryMan supports men who are at risk of homelessness, living with mental health issues like depression or anxiety, and living with disabilities and other challenges.
Gotcha4Life is a not-for-profit foundation that funds sustainable educational workshops, training programs and products building this mental fitness in communities across Australia, to enable strong, open and binding relationships.
Keep Your Feet Foundation has been formed to help raise awareness about depression and anxiety within the sporting community.
Male Suicide Prevention Australia
Male Suicide Prevention Australia is dedicated to reducing the incidence of male suicide by applying an understanding of male experience, male physiology, psychology, and social determinants of male suicide within a comprehensive prevention approach.
MATES in Construction, Mining and Energy delivers strategic, innovative, evidence based suicide prevention and mental health programs to the building, mining, energy and construction industries.
Men Care Too aims to increase awareness and recognition of men in unpaid, informal caring roles.
MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns.
Menslink supports young men across the Canberra region through our free counselling, volunteer mentoring and education programs. All of our services are free to young guys and their families.
Movember is an international charity tackling men’s health on a global scale, year round. Focused on addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
On the Line is a professional social health business that provides counselling support, anywhere and anytime. On the Line is a national provider of some of Australia’s most vital and trusted services including MensLine Australia, Suicide Call Back Service, SuicideLine Victoria, CAREinMIND, NQ Connect and Connections Western Sydney Helpline.
For nearly 20 years Parents Beyond Breakup has been working primarily with dads and occasionally mums experiencing distress due to divorce and separation from their children.
Rural Alive and Well Inc. (RAW)
Rural Alive and Well Inc. (RAW) is a non for profit organisation helping individuals, families and the community through mental health issues with a focus on suicide prevention.
Red Dust Healing aims to give Aboriginal men an understanding of identity, to equip them with self evaluation skills, to develop future role models and fathers, and to restore family relationships.
R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity that works to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.
Top Blokes Foundation is on a mission to improve young male health and wellbeing by reducing the rates of suicides, mental health issues, antisocial and risk-taking behaviours.
Training specific to male suicide prevention
MATES in Energy provides suicide prevention and intervention skills and suicide awareness to the Mining Industry. This is delivered through a three tiered approach of General Awareness, Connector and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
MATES in Mining provides suicide prevention and intervention skills and suicide awareness to the Mining Industry. This is delivered through a three tiered approach of General Awareness, Connector and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Mind Your Mates is a 40-minute toolbox tool to develop suicide prevention awareness, a Workplace (Mental) Health & Safety initiative introduced by Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter and ResCo Services.
Resources and programs that support male suicide prevention and support men
- Australian Men's Shed Association: Spanner in the works? - a men’s health promotion program designed and delivered by the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) and Healthy Male.
- Beyond Blue: Our work with men - a list of support resources tailored specifically to men's mental health.
- Beyond Blue and National LGBTI Health Alliance: Wingmen - an online toolkit that supports gay men to feel confident about helping each other in tough times.
- Butterfly Foundation: Men, boys and eating disorders - Knowledge, Research and Policy Manager, Dr. Sarah Squire has written a blog discussing the realities and stigma men face when it comes to eating disorders.
- Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH): Let’s Talk S2: E4 MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH - a podcast episode that discusses what men can do to look after themselves when they feel like they might coping and ways they can get help.
- Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP): You Got This Mate - a website that provides tips and information to help rural men reach their best possible mental health.
- Movember: Spot a bro - a resource that provides useful approaches and suggestions for spotting signs of someone struggling.
- Movember: Conversations - provides practical guidance on how to support the men in your life who might be struggling.
- Movember: Dad in Progress - speaks to men who are fresh to fatherhood about the challenges and life-changes of new-dad life.
- R U OK?: Mateship Manual - a short simple guide on how to help someone who's doing it tough in rural and remote areas.
- R U OK?: Manspeak - a YouTube series that helps to develop the skills to start the conversation or know how to respond when a friend opens up.
- SANE Australia: Men, mates & mental health - Glen Benton, from On The Line and MensLine Australia provides tips on how men can talk about their mental health with their mates.
