Guys find it hard to talk and ask for help
don’t stay silent
Young guys often stay silent about the real issues in their lives – issues we can all have from time to time, like bullying, anxiety, getting dumped or feeling sad. Young guys suffer from depression and anxiety at around the same rate as young women, about 1 in 4.
However, unlike girls, only 1 in 10 guys will talk to someone and get help.
At Menslink Canberra, we want to help end this problem.
We see too many young blokes suffering in silence – screwing up their school work, leaving school or just feeling miserable – and not getting help. Silence can be deadly, and suicide kills more young guys than any other cause.
We don’t want silence to let it get to that stage. So we encourage young guys to reach out for help. Get more than one person if you can – a close mate, a professional like a counsellor, youth worker or a coach of a team you play in or maybe even your parents or a teacher. Start talking.
It might be hard at the beginning but you’ll be surprised how good it feels to have someone listen and not judge you. Then you’ll start feeling better.
Menslink visits schools across Canberra, Queanbeyan and Yass to talk with young guys of all ages about the hassles of life. If you want us to come to your school jump on have a look at our Menslink in Schools page and drop us a line.
We also offer free counselling in Canberra and mentoring for young guys aged 10-25 so if you need help for yourself, a mate or a family member, give Menslink a call and don’t stay silent.
Menslink has partnered with the team at the Canberra Raiders on the Silence is Deadly program for over 10 years and we appreciate and value their support.
Download the Silence is Deadly poster and tent cards.
need support
menslink can help
We offer free counselling in Canberra for 10-25 years olds, and we also have a great mentoring program for 10-16. Find out more below.
Other places to Get Support
For Young Guys
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is a free, 24-hour counselling service for young people aged 5-25 years. Counselling is offered by phone, email and over the web. Counsellors deal with issues ranging from relationship breakdowns and bullying to sexual abuse, homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and drug and alcohol use.
Youth Beyond Blue
Stress, anxiety and feeling down can affect anyone,
and in fact, happens to a lot of us at some point in our lives.
We all have good days and bad days. However, if you’re feeling sad, down or anxious and these feelings have started to affect what you would normally enjoy or do, then it’s important to find out what’s going on and what you can do about it.
Smiling Mind
“Smiling Mind exists to help build individual mental health and wellbeing through positive, pre-emptive tools based on mindfulness meditation. Co-developed with psychologists and health professionals Smiling Mind is accessible to everyone, irrespective of geographic location or socioeconomic status.”
Lifeline
Lifeline provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. Somewhere in Australia, there is a new call to Lifeline every minute. People call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support service about many things including Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, Abuse and trauma, physical or mental wellbeing, Suicidal thoughts or attempts, Stresses from work, family or society as well as Information for friends and family.
Headspace
Headspace helps younger people who are going through a tough time. If you are looking for someone to talk to and you’re 12-25, you can get health advice, support and information from headspace. With centres all around Australia, headspace can help you with General health, Mental health and counselling, education, employment and other services, Alcohol and other drug services.
Reach out
ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. It’s the perfect place to start if you’re not sure where to look. Every year it helps hundreds of thousands of young Australians with information support and stories on everything from finding your motivation, to getting through really tough times.
Suicide call back service
Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
ACT Government services
The ACT Government provides mental health assessment, support and treatment in hospital and in the community for children and young people.