Mentoring key to addressing male mental health challenges

Posted on 26 May 2025

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

Failure to properly address mental health challenges among men could be costing the nation up to $3.76 billion in lost productivity each year, according to new research.

The study by mental health charity Mentoring Men found that 95 per cent of men surveyed said they would benefit from some support.

However, 42 per cent admitted to ”pushing through on their own” because they did not know where to turn.

The research found the “shockingly high” number of men experiencing mental health challenges was affecting relationships, quality of life, and workplace productivity.

The survey of 2,000 men aged between 35 and 50 revealed:

almost half experienced general stress and anxiety
more than a quarter (26 per cent) experienced stress related to their relationships
about 30 per cent said they faced difficulty maintaining relationships
one quarter said that stress and mental health issues contributed to absenteeism.

Mentoring Men offers a free service connecting men with trained male mentors to help them deal with life’s challenges.

CEO Filipe Gama e Silva said the research showed the impact were much broader.

“Healthy men are one half of the equation leading to healthy families, workplaces, communities, society and the wider economy,” Gama e Silva said.

“This research highlights a critical need for change in how we, as a society, approach men’s mental health.”

“When men are supported to become their best selves, that sends positive ripples through families, friendships, workplaces, and the wider community."

Psychologist Cassandra Gray.

Gama e Silva said the findings challenged outdated assumptions that men don’t want help.

“Men are open to seeking support but don’t know where to turn, so they are pushing through on their own,” he said.

Gama e Silva said the state of men’s mental health had reached crisis point and required national attention and government investment.

“Mentoring transforms lives by preventing emerging challenges from escalating.

“By connecting like-minded blokes who have experienced similar challenges, our mentors are able to offer relatable guidance, creating a space for open dialogue, with no judgement.”

Psychologist Cassandra Gray, chief operating officer at Mentoring Men, said a healthy society needed healthy men.

“When men are supported to become their best selves, that sends positive ripples through families, friendships, workplaces, and the wider community.

She said a male-to-male mentoring approach helped reduce stigma and encouraged men to seek help.

“We see firsthand every day how mentoring helps men regain confidence, purpose, and connection, with life-changing effects for everyone around them.”