The number of Perth men seeking mental health support through St John of God Health Care’s outreach services has more than doubled in two years, prompting calls for more early intervention for new dads. Source: The West Australian.
Male referrals across SJOG Health Care’s Raphael Centre for post-natal anxiety and depression, walk-in Medicare Mental Health centres and Mental Wellbeing Services increased from 498 in 2023-24 to 1212 in 2024-25.
Director of community mental health services Naomi Boyd said while this represented significant growth, stigma that prevented many others from seeking help remained.
“Often they will say they don’t want to seek help, there is a fear of judgment, of being seen as a failure, because the belief is men have to handle everything and that they can’t ever struggle or feel low . . . they have to be the strong providers,” Ms Boyd said.
“We now have this responsibility to actually help tear down those walls and support men and their wellbeing, and that’s what we’re trying to really do now, is start opening those doors and saying, it’s okay.”
Among those seeking help were new dads, who had never held a baby until their own was born and were struggling to adapt to the new reality, and elderly men who had struggled in silence their entire lives.
“We find that for a lot of men, it’s the harsh reality of suddenly having someone rely on you for absolutely everything, while you still have to support your partner, look after yourself, and keep going at work. It’s not an easy adjustment,” Ms Boyd said.
She said while there was a lot of support for new mothers, it was not as socially acceptable for dads to admit they were struggling.
“We need to get messaging out there that for men and for their mental health, a strong man is one who’s not afraid to admit that he needs support.”
The Medicare Mental Health Centres offer free advice, support and short-to-medium term treatment for West Australian adults experiencing mental health concerns.
Ms Boyd said the fact the centres offered a walk-in service made them more appealing for people who needed them.
FULL STORY
Men’s mental health: Surge in Perth men seeking help from St John of God outreach services (By Rhianna Mitchell, The West Australian)
