Young men and boys are 3 times more likely to die by suicide then females in Australia, yet the rate of diagnosis for mental health conditions and self-reporting of mental health concerns is significantly lower. As a cohort they are also less likely to reach out for professional or clinical support, instead relying on unhealthy coping strategies or their peers for short-term support.
Nationally, we need to have a greater focus on ensuring that mental health support is accessible, engaging and appropriate for young men and boys if we are going to provide the support that is required to overcome this wicked problem.
As yourtown focusses on human centred design and co-design processes we have been exploring the needs and preferences of young men and boys to help increase their uptake and involvement in mental health programs and their willingness to access support. What we have heard clearly indicates that we need to re-focus our efforts to ensure that young men and boys are provided with suitable pathways to access support and can practice appropriate coping strategies that will build positive mental health.
In this presentation you will hear about how we have engaged with young men and boys to inform our work, what they have identified as key issues impacting on their mental health and what we need to consider to improve the accessibility of mental health support for this diverse group.