As Men’s Health Week 2025 comes to a close, global organizations are emphasizing a crucial aspect of men’s well-being: mental health. Across the world, the week has served as a platform to encourage open conversations about mental health challenges, break down stigmas, and stress the importance of seeking support. In particular, the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) and the UK’s Men’s Health Forum (MHF) have been instrumental in shaping the conversation around men’s mental health, advocating for national strategies and community engagement to address the unique health challenges faced by men.
In Australia, the AMHF has been encouraging men to focus on specific areas of their health that they can take immediate action on. A key message has been the importance of mental health and how small, incremental changes in daily routines, such as seeking help or initiating a conversation, can have a profound impact on one’s well-being. The forum advocates that mental health is just as crucial as physical health and that men must prioritize emotional well-being in their personal health regimens. Throughout Men’s Health Week, the AMHF has led various campaigns aimed at educating the public and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress. With more than one in eight men in Australia experiencing depression and anxiety at some point in their lives, the forum’s outreach efforts have been critical in encouraging men to talk about their struggles and seek support.
The importance of fostering mental health awareness in men’s communities has been echoed by the Mates in Mind initiative, an organization based in the UK. This year, the campaign has sought to amplify awareness about mental health among working men, focusing on those employed in sectors such as construction and manual labor, where the culture around mental health is often less open. Mates in Mind works to provide tools and resources for workplaces, aiming to equip managers and employees with the knowledge to support each other in mental health challenges. Their work is particularly important given the fact that men in certain industries are at a heightened risk for mental health struggles. According to reports, men in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, which are often exacerbated by long working hours, physical demands, and job insecurity.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the Men’s Health Forum continues to call for a national Men’s Health Strategy, a dedicated policy framework aimed at addressing the unique health concerns men face. Mental health is one of the central pillars of this proposed strategy, as studies have shown that men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues, often due to societal expectations of masculinity that discourage vulnerability. The MHF’s call for a national strategy is rooted in the belief that men’s health, particularly mental health, requires targeted interventions and government support. Their advocacy has grown louder in recent years as statistics reveal alarming trends in men’s health, such as the fact that men are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than women in the UK.
Across the globe, it is clear that mental health is an issue that transcends borders. Men’s Health Week has highlighted the necessity of breaking down the traditional barriers that men face when it comes to mental health. Experts argue that the long-standing stigma surrounding men and mental health has resulted in too many men suffering in silence, with tragic outcomes in some cases. Campaigns such as the AMHF’s and Mates in Mind’s serve as a reminder that mental well-being should be a priority for all, regardless of gender.
The focus on men’s mental health during Men’s Health Week 2025 comes at a time when more individuals and organizations are recognizing the critical need for mental health support and resources. With suicide rates among men remaining high, and many men suffering in silence, initiatives like these are crucial in shifting societal perceptions and creating environments where men feel safe to talk about their struggles. These efforts are also increasingly being integrated into public health policies, ensuring that mental health is given the same weight and attention as physical health in discussions about overall well-being.
The conversation around men’s mental health, however, is not one that should end with the conclusion of Men’s Health Week. As organizations like the Australian Men’s Health Forum, the UK Men’s Health Forum, and Mates in Mind continue to advocate for sustained support, it is essential for communities and governments to remain engaged and proactive in addressing the mental health needs of men year-round. This includes providing accessible mental health services, ensuring workplace support, and creating a culture where emotional well-being is viewed as a vital aspect of a man’s health journey.
Men’s Health Week 2025 has successfully drawn attention to the importance of mental well-being, urging men across the world to reflect on their mental health and seek the help they need. As the week ends, the global conversation must continue to focus on mental health as a critical area for action, ensuring that the support systems needed for men’s well-being are more robust and accessible than ever before.