Men’s mental health deserves more attention than it often gets, especially this month. October marks Men’s Mental Health Month in Australia, a time to check in with yourself, your mates and your wellbeing. Here are 5 simple, meaningful ways to support men’s mental health with Lotus, your trusted NDIS Gold Coast service.
October – the important men’s mental health month Australia
Do you know that in Australia, every day, around seven men lose their lives to suicide. It’s a heartbreaking number, especially knowing that many of these struggles happen quietly, behind closed doors. That’s why October – men’s mental health month matters so much.
This is a time dedicated to opening conversations, breaking down stigma and reminding men that it’s okay to ask for help. We encourage mates to check in on each other and communities to come together. It’s also a time for workplaces to create spaces where mental wellbeing is treated with the same care as physical health.
5 simple ways to take care for men’s mental health
Men, validate your emotions!
A study found that people who see feelings like sadness or anger as “bad” often have higher rates of anxiety and depression. Meanwhile, those who accept a full range of emotions as natural and healthy tend to cope better and feel more balanced.
For many men, growing up hearing things like “boys don’t cry” can make it hard to feel okay about having emotions at all. But the truth is you’re human. You feel things deeply, and that’s perfectly normal. Validating emotions isn’t a weakness, it’s a form of strength. It helps men reduce stress, improve mental health and make relationships more genuine.
Prioritise your own wellbeing
Prioritising your wellbeing means taking time to care for your body, mind and emotions before they’re pushed to the limit. It’s not selfish, it’s what helps you stay healthy, happy and able to show up for others in the best way. Many men tend to push through stress or ignore their health, but that can lead to serious issues like heart disease, depression or burnout. When you take your wellbeing seriously, you’re more likely to catch things early, stay balanced and live a more fulfilling life.
Regular health checks for men
To care for men’s mental health means also to care for your physical health. Regular health checks help spot potential problems early, assess risks for future health issues and keep you on track with healthy habits. It’s also a good time to talk with your doctor about what screenings or tests are right for you. Regular check-ups can catch silent conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes before they become serious.
Some health checks you can remind to do: blood pressure measurement, bowel cancer screening, diabetes screening, prostate cancer screening and cholesterol screening
Learn early warning signs.
To take care of men’s mental health, try to notice small changes in your body or mind that suggest something might be off before it gets serious. These could be feeling unusually tired, moody, sleeping poorly, losing interest in things you enjoy or having unexplained pain.
Ignoring them can lead to more serious issues or longer recovery. You can start by observing how you feel on good and bad days, maybe jotting notes about your mood, sleep or energy. If something feels off, take small steps like resting more, easing stress or talking with someone.
Connect with support programs
Connecting with support programs is a great way for men to care for their mental health. These spaces, whether therapy sessions, men’s groups or online forums, give men a chance to talk openly. Also, they can learn and get guidance for what they’re going through.
It matters because many men still feel pressured to keep emotions inside, which can build up into stress, anxiety or depression. Support programs create a safe place to share without judgment, learn healthy coping skills and feel understood by others with similar experiences.
At Lotus, we know that mental health recovery looks different for everyone and that’s completely okay. Our psychosocial recovery services under the NDIS are designed to help you build confidence, independence and a more meaningful daily life. Through one-on-one guidance, our trained recovery coaches work closely with you to create a personalized plan that focuses on your strengths, goals and wellbeing. We’re here to walk beside you.
Many of Lotus’s recovery coaches bring lived experience with mental health challenges, allowing us to connect deeply and support with genuine empathy. Connect with Lotus, your trusted NDIS Gold Coast service to get your genuine men’s mental health care.
