Men

On this page

Men are among the most vulnerable to death by suicide.

  • Australian males are three times more likely to take their own life compared with females.1
  • Men have higher rates of fatal suicide attempts compared with women.1

It is crucial for men with suicide ideation or crisis to access aftercare services prior to a suicide attempt.

Risk factors and challenges

Some common risk factors and challenges associated with male suicide include:

  • financial distress
  • unemployment or threat of job loss
  • housing insecurity
  • relationship conflict or breakdown
  • alcohol or drug misuse
  • gambling addiction
  • concerns about privacy; particularly in rural areas
  • shame and stigma surrounding men’s mental health
  • difficulty or hesitancy in accessing services, e.g. if they are in full-time employment and services have limited hours, or rural-based men in predominately agricultural jobs.2,3

Considerations

  • Acknowledge it may take men longer to open up – be patient and flexible in the ways you engage.
  • Think about the type of activity you do when meeting – some men find it easier to communicate when multitasking, e.g. going for a walk with the dog, meeting in the park with a coffee or an outdoor activity.
  • Think about the environment in which you meet – a consult room in a 1:1 environment may feel too intense for some people.
  • Ask the consumer what they are comfortable with and what would they like to do.
  • Some men may feel shame or embarrassment about seeking help, or may just feel the need for privacy. When meeting in public, consider avoiding branded work uniforms or vehicles.
  • Consider referral pathways that engage men in the program, acknowledging low uptake of suicide prevention services among this population.

Recommended resources

Advice, support and referral resources for men
Resources for men, covering topics such as addiction, anger management, domestic and family violence, relationships and overall mental health.
Source: MensLine Australia

Doing it Tough – male support services
Connects men in NSW with 150+ local groups and community organisations providing support for addiction, relationship issues, financial difficulties, abuse, job-related challenges and mental health.
Source: Suicide Prevention Australia and Australian Men’s Health Forum

Male Suicide Prevention Principles
Principles and recommendations to address social determinants and situation stressors that put men at risk of suicide.
Source: Suicide Prevention Australia

Mates in Construction
Provides community development programs focused on suicide prevention for the construction, energy and mining industry.

Mental health resources for young men
Resources to support the physical and mental wellbeing of young men, including online peer chats and counselling.
Source: headspace

Movember
A charity focused on men's health, especially mental health and suicide prevention.
Source: Movember Foundation

References

  1. Suicide and Self-Harm Monitoring. Canberra (AU): Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2023 [cited 25 Sept 2024].
  2. Seidler ZE, Dawes AJ, Rice SM, et al. The Role of Masculinity in Men's Help-Seeking for Depression: A Systematic Review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2016;49:106-118. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.09.002. PMID: 27664823.
  3. Men: Priority Populations in Suicide Prevention. Newcastle (AU): Life in Mind Australia; 2023 [cited 25 Sept 2024].
Back to top