If the statement “nobody cares about men” triggers an eyeroll or a reflexive urge to argue, pause for a moment. Suspend the outrage that’s been conditioned by years of divisive narratives and take a hard look at the reality unfolding around us.
The men’s health crisis in Australia is not a theory, it’s a tragedy playing out in homes, workplaces, and communities. This weekend, the nation was rocked again by the suicide of a former AFL footballer, mere months after his twin brother took his own life earlier this year.
These heartbreaking losses are not isolated; they are part of a broader epidemic that claims thousands of Australian men annually, with little fanfare or action to address it. The truth is stark: men are dying, and society’s response is often indifference, dismissal, or worse – blame.
The crisis is compounded by a cultural shift where sexism towards men has not only become commonplace but is, in some circles, celebrated as a virtue. Terms like “toxic masculinity” and “mansplaining” are thrown around with reckless abandon, framing men as perpetual oppressors while ignoring their struggles.
Identity politics, amplified by media, government, and academia, has leaned heavily into an oppressor-versus-victim mentality, casting men – particularly white men – as the root of societal ills.
This narrative conveniently overlooks the fact that the vast majority of men are not elite businessmen or politicians wielding unimaginable power. They are ordinary tradies, teachers, fathers, and sons who are navigating a world that increasingly tells them their existence is a problem.
The result is a culture that shames men for existing as they are, while offering little empathy when they falter.
Over my 43 years, I’ve personally lost 11 friends and family members to suicide – 10 of them male.
This personal toll mirrors a national tragedy, one exemplified by the Selwood brothers and other high-profile losses like Robin Williams, who took his life in 2014, and Australian musician Chris Bailey of The Saints, who died by suicide in 2022. These stories are not anomalies; they are symptoms of a deeper, systemic neglect.
The Selwood tragedy and a national epidemic
Adam Selwood, a West Coast Eagles premiership winner, died by suicide at 41, just three months after his twin brother Troy, a former Brisbane Lions player, took his own life in February 2025.
Adam had planned a selfless act to honour Troy, aiming to raise $10,000 for the mental health charity zero2hero through the HBF Run for a Reason half marathon. “This cause is deeply personal to me,” he wrote, describing the run as part of his “healing journey” and a commitment to raising awareness about suicide prevention.
He urged others to seek help, noting that Troy’s death had already prompted some to speak up and access care. Yet, despite his efforts to channel grief into action, Adam succumbed to the same darkness that claimed his brother.
The AFL community, still reeling from Troy’s death, was left devastated, with figures like former coach John Worsfold and Geelong’s Cam Mooney expressing profound grief.
This tragedy underscores a broader crisis. In Australia, suicide is a leading cause of death for men, particularly those aged 15-44. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 3,249 people died by suicide in 2023, with males accounting for 75.6% of these deaths – 2,459 men compared to 790 women.
This translates to roughly seven men per day, a rate three times higher than that for women. Men aged 35-44, like the Selwood brothers, are particularly vulnerable, with suicide rates peaking at 27.6 per 100,000 in this group.
Over the past decade, male suicide rates have remained stubbornly high, while female rates, though still tragic, are lower and more stable.
Mental health challenges are universal, but men face unique pressures. Depression and anxiety affect both genders, but men are less likely to seek help, with only 27% of men accessing mental health services compared to 40% of women, according to Beyond Blue.
When men do open up, the response is not always supportive. Cultural expectations of stoicism, coupled with a growing societal tendency to dismiss male vulnerability, create a perfect storm.
The ABS notes that men are more likely to die by suicide after a single attempt, often choosing more lethal methods, which reflects not just despair but a lack of intervention points.
Roots of indifference
For generations, men have been taught to suppress emotions, to “tough it out” rather than express pain. This stoicism, once a cultural ideal, is now compounded by a new barrier: a society that often ridicules or punishes male vulnerability.
The rise of identity politics has entrenched a binary worldview, casting men as oppressors and women as victims. This oversimplification ignores the reality that most men, like most people, are not wielding systemic power but navigating their own struggles.
Terms like “toxic masculinity” imply that maleness itself is a problem, while “mansplaining” reduces male communication to condescension, fostering resentment rather than understanding. These concepts, pushed by media and academia, have seeped into everyday discourse, making it harder for men to express themselves without fear of judgment.
The lack of empathy for men is evident in policy and public discourse. In 2023, over 2,400 men and boys died by suicide, compared to 203 women and girls, yet political leaders rarely address this gap.
Senator Pauline Hanson noted that on International Men’s Day 2024, no Labor politician acknowledged the crisis, reflecting a broader reluctance to prioritise men’s issues for fear of appearing “unprogressive”.
Media narratives often amplify this neglect, portraying men as perpetrators rather than people who might also need support. When men’s mental health is discussed, it’s frequently framed as a secondary concern, overshadowed by other social issues deemed more “urgent.”
This indifference has real consequences. Boys grow up in a world where their struggles are minimised, where seeking help can feel like admitting failure.
Men, particularly those in high-pressure environments like professional sports, face additional scrutiny. The AFL, despite its community influence, has been slow to address mental health systemically.
The deaths of Adam and Troy Selwood have sparked calls for a dedicated mental health round, with figures like Jimmy Bartel and Wayne Schwass urging the league to break the stigma. Yet, as Schwass noted, the AFL has resisted such initiatives, citing “too many themed rounds”.
Factors driving male suicide
Several factors converge to make suicide a uniquely male crisis. Economic pressures play a significant role, with men often bearing the burden of being primary providers.
The ABS reports that unemployment and financial stress are strongly correlated with male suicide, particularly in regional areas where job losses in industries like mining and agriculture hit hard.
Relationship breakdowns are another trigger, with men more likely to face social isolation post-separation due to limited support networks. Unlike women, who are more likely to maintain social connections, men often rely on partners for emotional support, leaving them vulnerable when relationships end.
Substance abuse also disproportionately affects men, who are more likely to use alcohol or drugs to cope with distress. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey shows that 17% of men engage in risky drinking compared to 10% of women, often masking underlying mental health issues.
Access to lethal means, such as firearms in rural areas, further elevates risk, with men accounting for 90% of firearm-related suicides.
Social isolation is a growing concern, particularly for young men. The rise of digital culture has reduced face-to-face interaction, and men, socialised to avoid emotional intimacy, are less likely to build resilient support systems.
This isolation is compounded by a lack of male-specific mental health resources. While women’s health initiatives are well-funded, men’s programs, like those offered by Movember, struggle for visibility and funding.
Breaking the cycle: A call for change
Addressing this crisis requires a cultural and systemic shift. First, society must reject the notion that men’s struggles are less worthy of attention. This starts with challenging sexist tropes that dismiss male pain or vilify masculinity.
Media and policymakers should promote balanced narratives that recognise men as individuals with vulnerabilities, not as a monolithic group responsible for societal woes. Schools and workplaces can play a role by fostering environments where boys and men feel safe expressing emotions without fear of ridicule.
Investment in male-specific mental health services is critical. Programs like zero2hero, supported by Adam Selwood, show the value of targeted interventions that empower young people to address mental health proactively.
Governments should fund community-based initiatives, particularly in regional areas, where suicide rates are highest. These could include peer support groups, crisis helplines staffed by trained male counsellors, and outreach campaigns that normalise help-seeking.
The success of Movember’s mental health campaigns demonstrates that men respond to messaging tailored to their experiences – more of this is needed.
The AFL and other sporting bodies have a unique opportunity to lead. A mental health round, as proposed by Brayden Ainsworth and others, could leverage the league’s platform to reach millions, encouraging open conversations and directing fans to resources like Lifeline (13 11 14).
Such initiatives must go beyond symbolism, integrating ongoing support for players and former athletes, who often face identity crises post-career.
Finally, individuals can make a difference by checking in on the men in their lives. A simple conversation can be a lifeline, as Adam Selwood himself noted when reflecting on Troy’s impact. We must create a culture where men feel heard, not judged, and where their pain is met with compassion, not dismissal.
Thank you Jakob,
Excellent article with so many truths, unfortunately you will probably be vilified for writing it rather than society getting the message that it is all about a more balanced narrative where we are all equals, with the same capacity to do good or evil. Ultimately three words resolve all our indifferences ‘Unconditional Mutual Respect’…but humanity will never get this, as it is all about me and if I do not agree or understand something it must be bad and should be destroyed.
Jakob a great article and so glad you have bought this conversation to light. Living in a rural area where there were the 2020 fires and now a tough time with no rain, cost of living and insurance rises, the number of suicides is heartbreaking. All ages of men, including older farmers. Connecting with the “unbreakable farmer”, Warren Davis at the Corryong Man from Snowy River Festival in 2023 and listening to the stories. Also what is becoming very alarming is the increase in financial elder abuse occurring with the older farmer. Family and others swooping in at
a time of most vulnerability, isolation, loneliness and mental health conditions. We do need a more balanced narrative.