What Happens When Young Men Open Up About Mental Health
June 08, 2025
Talking about mental health isn’t always easy - especially for young men. Outdated ideas about masculinity, pressure to appear “tough”, and the fear of being judged still create huge barriers to opening up.
This Men’s Health Week, we’re spotlighting stories from two of our batyr storytellers, Adry and Matthew, who share their mental health experiences with honesty, vulnerability and strength. These stories reflect the power of connection and the importance of creating safe spaces for young men to speak up - because when those walls come down, what happens next can be life-changing.
For Matthew, stigma around mental ill-health meant he kept everything hidden - even from his closest friends.
“I could not even admit to anyone outside my immediate family that I had mental illness. It was my shameful secret and it caused me so much more pain.”
It wasn’t until he found a new group of friends and felt accepted for who he was that things started to shift.
“They didn’t judge me. If anything, it felt like we could be more honest and genuine with each other. Now, I can share it whenever I feel like it. It’s not who I am, just something I’m managing. The difference between having no one to talk to and having just one person is huge.”
Matthew now sees being mentally healthy as something he has more control over - through therapy, exercise, mindfulness and connection.
“I used to think that being mentally healthy was up to the whim of world - I just hoped it would bring me good things my way and make me happy. Now I see I have much more control over it than I thought. Not everyday is a happy day, but my life is still worth living.”
These stories are a reminder that speaking up can save lives - and that no one should have to navigate mental health struggles alone. When young men are given the tools, the community, and the space to talk, real change happens.
“Trying to hide your vulnerability and act 'cool' isn't worth it. Pretending like you don't care about anything can be like armour - if you don’t care then no one can hurt you right? But the longer you wear it, the harder it is to take off. Being vulnerable does not mean weakness. In fact, it can be extremely difficult to show the most real and sensitive sides of yourself. To keep doing these things at risk of rejection or failure takes a lot of courage, strength and resilience.” says Matthew.
“I think it's something that needs to be taught from a young age. Get boys to talk about their feelings in primary school activities or programs, and especially when they move into high school. Get them engaged early and with time it will feel natural to them.”
Like Matthew, Adry’s experience shows just how important it is to have the right support around you when things get tough – and how connection can become a lifeline.
“When I was in Year 12, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. My diagnosis completely shattered me, and my anxiety made me feel like I was riding a rollercoaster that didn’t stop. I even had moments when I thought about taking my own life.”
At a time when the topic of mental health rarely came up among his mates, Adry’s friends were there for him - encouraging him to seek professional support. That support, and the space to talk openly, became a turning point.
“Thanks to batyr, I am now empowered with the knowledge I need to take charge of my mental health when going through tough times. I feel more comfortable to look out for the signs when I may be going through a tough time and need a helping hand, and get talking about how I’m feeling. Being connected to other young people through batyr has also helped me feel less alone throughout my mental health journey.”
At batyr, we believe lived experience storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce stigma and create lasting change. By supporting young people – especially young men – to share their experiences safely and confidently, we’re breaking the cycle of silence and building a more mentally healthy world for everyone.
When we create safe, supportive environments for men and boys to express how they’re feeling, we give them the opportunity to embrace vulnerability, connect with others, and seek help when they need it – knowing that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
You can hear more stories like Adry’s and Matthew’s on our free mental health storytelling app, OurHerd. Want to share your own experience? Learn more about becoming a batyr storyteller.
Our mates at Movember and Top Blokes Foundation also have some great resources around supporting young men’s mental health.