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About The Conference

Why We Do It
Real Talk. Real Change.
What it's about

Boys’ and Men’s Mental Health is a Priority

This conference builds on years of dedicated advocacy in the area of boys’ and men’s mental health. It represents a significant step forward in ensuring that the needs of boys and men are recognised, supported, and prioritised in our community.

While many groups in our community benefit from targeted programs, services and approaches, this conference shines a light on the unique challenges faced by boys and men in 2025. By highlighting their experiences and outcomes, we are working together to create meaningful change that improves mental health and reduces suicide rates.

The conference will present clear priority areas for policy, programs, and initiatives that can make a real difference in people’s lives. These have been summarised into four key pillars, which will guide discussion, inspire collaboration, and strengthen action.

Our goal is not only to continue raising awareness, but to achieve real, lasting improvements in boys’ and men’s mental health. By uniting voices, sharing knowledge, and fostering innovation, this conference will help shape a healthier, more supportive future for all.

Pillars

The Four Advocacy Pillars

These are the four most important areas where we seek to see reform or improvement, and this is all based on evidence, research and the Government’s own data.

Every presentation at the conference will focus on these priority areas, the Four Pillars, as this represents the change we need to see in order to improve boys and men’s mental health and reduce suicide rates.

The four breakout streams will be divided into these Four Pillars and all content and discussion driven by these advocacy areas.

Our aim is for the Four Pillars to bring focus and clarity to the conference, and a common sense of purpose. It also ensures that the conference is effective in driving forward our advocacy efforts and we harness the energy and expertise of those gathered on the day for this important cause.

Pillar 1 - Drive early and effective engagement in responsive mental health services

Early engagement with responsive services is essential for everyone.

How can this be improved for men?

Mental health distress affects men and women at the same rate; however women are more likely to seek Commonwealth funded treatment.

Compared to men, women are:

  • 48% more likely to be prescribed a PBS medicine for mental health.
  • 64% more likely to use Medicare funded mental health services.
  • Twice as likely to consult a Medicare funded clinical psychologist.

Men are as likely as women to be hospitalised for more than 24 hours with a mental health primary diagnosis.

In 2023, boys and men accounted for 311 (75%) of all deaths resulting from intentional self-harm in WA

Pillar 2 - Improve continuity of care (CC) between organisations, programs and care providers

Improved (CC) between organisations and care providers is essential for all health care for all patients.

CC risks are higher for men in mental health addressing them is critical.

Compared to women, men are:

  • LESS likely to have treatment for mental distress coordinated by their GP.
  • MORE likely to have mental health care provided in an institutional setting (e.g. hospital, prison, AOD residential program) than in the community.  When they leave these settings, CC is critical to ongoing engagement and effective care.

MORE likely to work in FIFO occupations, with evidenced high mental health risk and fragmented care.

Pillar 3 - Strengthen and diversify the representation of men and boys’ voices across the sector

The voice of consumers, professionals, families and communities needs to be at the table in all parts of the sector.

 Men and boy’s voices are substantially under-represented in the sector:

  •  75% of the mental health workforce is female
  •  80% of psychologists are female.
  •  Most advocacy group and sector CEOs are women.
  •  Consumer representatives are more likely to be female.

Men and boys’ voices can be strengthened through workshops and consultations which bring together men from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Pillar 4 - Incorporate gender analysis in all data, reporting, surveys and research

Data, reporting, surveys and research are essential to modern health care.

Men and women, boys and girls differ in their experience of mental health distress as well as where, when and how they seek services.

Regular gender reporting is needed for:

  • Use of mental health services across all programs and institutions
  • Continuity of care between services, programs and institutions.

Better understanding is needed of:

  • How to improve the timeliness of help seeking and the effectiveness of services
  • Impact of messaging for men around mental health.
  • The community-wide burden of untreated and poorly treated mental health distress.
  • Why men are LESS likely to engage in surveys relating to their mental health.

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Hosts

About Your Hosts

In 2023, Richmind WA and Mens Talk joined forces to create Western Australia’s first Men’s Wellbeing Conference. Since then, the Conference has grown, seeing a diverse range of people from across our community come together to talk about men’s mental health, share insights and explore solutions.

About Richmind WA

Richmind WA (formerly Richmond Wellbeing) is a leading mental health organisation in Western Australia, having supported our community for over 50 years. We listen deeply, see people as the individuals they are and support them to discover the courage they have to shape their own lives.

Our inclusive mental health and wellbeing services are shaped by the voices of lived experience. Our supported accommodation, community-based and NDIS services are focused on supporting people to build the confidence and skills they need to meet the challenges of daily life.

About Mens Talk

Mens Talk is more than just a mental health organisation; it is a community dedicated to transforming the landscape of men’s mental health and wellness.

Our mission is to dismantle the stigma that often surrounds this issue, fostering a more supportive and positive environment for men from all walks of life. We believe in the power of shared experiences, the value of the relationships we build, and the impact of the places we’ve visited. Together, we aim to empower men to lead healthier, happier lives while nurturing a culture of openness and understanding.