Support Toolkit

Men

“I always talk about taking the first step. That's probably the hardest thing you can do is accept that you've actually got something wrong with you or acknowledging the fact that you need an out, you need a spell, but once you take that first step, things get a hell of a lot easier.” Brendan Cullen, Sheep Station owner in the Holding on to Hope Podcast.

Support for Men’s Mental Health

Although we all go through difficult times in life, men and women can experience and react to these situations differently. Research shows that men are less likely to seek support for mental health issues and are less likely to disclose a mental health problem to friends or family.

Signs that you or someone you care about may need support
It is important to remember that there are things we can do to get through tough times and we don’t have to go through it alone. Difficult times can be easier to manage with the right help and support.

Signs can include:
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches and tension, weight loss or gain
- Feeling angry
- Increased nervousness, agitation, restlessness or fidgeting
- Changes to behaviour such as Increased use of alcohol, drugs or increased gambling
- Feeling helpless or out of control
- Losing interest in activities that you usually enjoy
- Feeling hopeless, guilty or like a ‘failure’ or burden to others
- Thoughts of harming yourself or others
- Thoughts of suicide
If you, or someone you care for is in need of support, please call Lifeline to speak to a trained Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or chat online (24 hours / 7 days).

We are here to listen.

Support services

MensLine

MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues.

Call 1300 78 99 78

Visit website

Australian Men's Shed Association

A Men’s Shed is a community-based, non-profit organisation providing a safe and welcoming space where men can work on meaningful projects, connect with others, and improve their well-being and social inclusion.

Visit website

Every Man

Every Man supports men who are living with mental health issues, disabilities, are socially isolated, at risk of homelessness, men who use violence or are victims/survivors of violence, men who are ex-prisoners, or those having relationship or parenting difficulties. For over 20 years, Every Man has been working with men through tough times, using resources and specialist programs.

Visit website

Brendan's story

Everyone knows that rural depression is an issue. But few have considered the issues that cause it.

Farmer Brendan Cullen reached such a dark place he regularly sat in his car shouting at himself or on his bed sobbing.

Today, it’s hard to believe the cheerful sheep station manager from Broken Hill found himself in such pain until he lists the many factors that caused it - isolation, being on duty 24/7, feeling reluctant to ask for help during drought, dealing with so much animal death he felt numb, constant pressure of new technology, being responsible for “the heartbeats of 10,000 sheep”, and burdening himself with unnecessary pressures.

Here he gifts us with his experience and the strategies he keeps in his 'tool kit' to keep mentally healthy.

Listen now