Guiding Young Men Towards a Healthy Identity and Mental Wellbeing 

While these traits have historically been associated with resilience, contemporary research highlights their detrimental effects on resilience, thereby mental health. A study published in PLOS ONE (Kilian et al. 2020) found that adherence to traditional masculinity norms correlates with poorer mental health outcomes among men treated for depression. Moreover, a systematic review in Current Psychiatry Reports emphasises that such norms contribute to increased risks of depression and suicide (Oliffe et al. 2019). Compounding this issue is the rise of public figures promoting hyper-masculine and often misogynistic views. These figures often exploit young men's vulnerabilities, offering a distorted sense of identity and belonging. Such dynamics underscore the urgency of redefining masculinity in a way that supports mental wellbeing and social connectedness.

Promoting Positive Masculinity

As a mental health specialist, I think that the first step to promoting positive masculinity is to help men recognise that masculinity is not a fixed concept but a social construct that evolves over time. Masculinity varies across different cultures and time periods, reflecting different ways societies define and value men's behaviors and roles (Gender.Study, 2019). I once worked with a 22-year-old man who had navigated the challenges of moving to Australia, learning the English language and Australian culture, studied, and worked full time. All while maintaining a strong social life and a healthy relationship. He was respectful, empathetic, and doing incredibly well by any modern standard. He always paid his own way and even supported others when he could. But in his eyes, he was failing. He wasn’t earning “enough.” For him, being a man meant providing financially for everyone around him, and anything less felt like falling short. These constant feelings of failure led him into deep sadness and identity confusion, which led him to seeking help. It was a stark reminder of how deeply these outdated expectations can run, and how they can obscure the real strengths a person brings to the table.

By promoting a more inclusive and emotionally expressive understanding of masculinity, we can create environments where young men feel empowered to seek help and connect with others, ultimately fostering better mental health outcomes. Positive masculinity encourages traits like emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience. By fostering these qualities, young men can develop a more balanced and authentic sense of self. There are programs like the Men in Mind program that focus on helping boys and young men construct and perform masculinity in ways that enhance mental health and community wellbeing. But beyond formal programs, there are also simple, everyday strategies that anyone can start using right away to support young men in this shift.

Strategies for Supporting Young Men

• Integrate discussions about healthy masculinity into everyday conversations with friends, children and colleagues, emphasising the value of emotional expression and vulnerability.

• Connect young men with or become a positive role model who exemplify balance in their view and who can provide guidance to living a full life.

• I encourage parents to engage in open conversations about emotions and challenge traditional gender expectations at home.

• Teach young men to critically evaluate media messages, helping them discern and reject harmful stereotypes and public figures who promote harmful ways of thinking.

• Ensure that mental health resources are available, youth-friendly and sensitive to the unique challenges faced by young men.

Redefining masculinity is not about making men ‘weaker’, it is truly about making them more resilient and teaching them a broader range of human experiences and emotions. By promoting positive masculinity, we can equip young men with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges, build meaningful relationships, and maintain mental well-being. It's a collective effort that requires the involvement of educators, parents, policymakers, and the community at large.

Let’s start having better conversations with young men.

If you would like guidance on starting this conversation, please reach out.

References

Brown, N. (2025) ‘Feeling left behind’: Young Australian men reverting to traditional view of gender roles. Accessed online [05/07/25] https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/feeling-left-behind-young-australian-men-reverting-to-traditional-view-of-gender-roles/news-story/edf2fc472e052538be79ab98decf4efd

Gender.Study (2019). What is Masculinity? A Socially Constructed Identity. Accessed online [05/07/2025] https://gender.study/gender-sensitization/masculinity-socially-constructed-identity/Kilian

R, Müller-Stierlin A, Söhner F, Beschoner P, Gündel H, Staiger T, et al. (2020) Masculinity norms and occupational role orientations in men treated for depression. PLoS ONE 15(5): e0233764. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233764

Oliffe, J.L., Rossnagel, E., Seidler, Z.E., Kealy, D., Ogrodniczuk, J.S., Rice, S.M. (2019). Men’s Depression and Suicide. Current Psychiatry Reports 21, 103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1088-y