Men's Mental Health: Valuable Resources for Movember

In New Zealand and globally, men are usually less likely than are women to reach out for help when they are struggling. It’s our responsibility to create a culture where all people are supported and empowered to seek help without stigma.

With Movember in full force, our team has been brainstorming the best resources to support men’s mental health. We hope you enjoy the links below, and please feel free to let us know what else you’ve found helpful to support yourself, or the men in your life.

Me mahi tahi tātou. Let’s all work together.??

?? Good watches: ?

• Like a Man which aried on TVNZ. Matt Chisholm shares his two-part documentary series on Kiwi masculinity, men’s mental health struggles, and what we can do about them. You can watch it here.
• The Monkeys on Our Back by Director Hunter Williams is a great mini-documentary (only eight minutes long) on the mental health challenges facing the rural and farming sectors. You can read about it and watch it here.

?? Good reads: ?

• This is Not How it Ends is a book published October 2020 by New Zealand journalist Jehan Casinader which outlines his personal journey with depression and how storytelling helped to save his life. Read about Jehan’s story and check out his book here.
• Yeah Nah: What stops us checking in on a mate (and how to overcome it) was written by Stephen Kearney, clinical psychologist and (now) Chief Mental Health Officer at the NZ Defence Force. It shares his tips for how to check in on friends and challenges some of our assumptions that hold us back from having difficult conversations about mental health. You can read it here.

?? Great resources: ?

• Movember Conversations. A great online tool that gives you the confidence to have conversations with the men in your life who might be struggling. Here, you can practice how to tackle these important conversations.
• The same website by Movember, gives us a simple acronym to follow. ALEC (Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, Check In). Four simple steps. Use ALEC to help you navigate a conversation with a friend who might be doing it tough.
• They also have a whole webpage of valuable articles and resources - from talking about someone's anger to emotional unavailability.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, it’s important to remember that you are not alone, and that support is available.?

Helpline services are available right now in Aotearoa New Zealand that offer support, information and help for you and your family, whānau, workmates and friends.

All the services listed here are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise specified.

National helplines

• Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
• Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email [email protected] or online chat.
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666
• Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Healthline – 0800 611 116