The elephant in the room—men's mental healthThe elephant in the room—men's mental health
All In The Mind
More than 1.3 million men in Australia experience mental health problems but too few of them seek help because of the stigma that exists. We hear how early intervention is used in treatment; a young man's social enterprise to help others, and the relationship between men’s mental health and their ageing process.
28:50•17 May 2015
The Elephant in the Room: Men's Mental Health, Stigma and Silent Struggles
Episode Overview
- Stigma and expectations of toughness stop many men from admitting they feel depressed, anxious or overwhelmed.
- Young males are less likely to seek help, even as serious conditions like psychosis begin to emerge in adolescence.
- Social factors such as unemployment, marginalisation and fragmented communities significantly increase the risk of psychosis.
- Depression and anxiety in men are linked with shorter telomeres, suggesting a possible connection with faster biological ageing.
- Peer-led storytelling, as used by batyr, can help break down stigma in schools and universities by sharing real experiences and recovery journeys.
“Men are needlessly suffering in silence often.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This episode of All In The Mind turns the spotlight on men's mental health, looking at why so many men struggle in silence and what can be done about it. You’ll hear youth mental health professor Max Birchwood explain how many men feel lost with "the language of emotion", making it hard to say "I feel anxious" or "I need help".
He points out that young males are particularly unlikely to seek support, even as serious issues like psychosis begin to take shape in adolescence. His work on early intervention and social recovery shows how things like work, education and community can be vital for young men who are at risk. Professor Richie Poulton adds a striking perspective from the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, suggesting that depression and anxiety in men might be linked with faster biological ageing.
He talks about telomeres — the protective caps on chromosomes — and how shorter telomeres seem to be associated with high stress and low mood in men, raising tough questions about long-term health. The emotional heart of the episode comes from Sebastian Robertson, who shares his experience of severe depression, self-harm and a "trigger night" that ended in a police cell.
He recalls thinking, "the greatest achievement was the fact that I was alive and that I could stand there but nobody knew that". His story shows how stigma, fear of judgement and expectations of being the "strong" leader kept him from seeking help for far too long. Sebastian eventually finds support through therapy and goes on to create batyr, a social enterprise that trains young people to share their stories of mental ill health.
By giving "a voice to the elephant in the room", he’s helping other young men feel less alone and more willing to talk. If you or someone you care about is quietly struggling, could one honest conversation be the first step towards change?
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