About this episode
In this episode, Kane sits down with Jevyn from Men’s Talk, a men’s health promotion charity based in Western Australia, for a raw and eye-opening conversation about the mental health crisis quietly affecting men across Australia.
They cover the alarming suicide statistics (7 men die every day in Australia), the role isolation, divorce and job loss play as warning signs, why tradies are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than from a workplace accident, and how Men’s Talk is doing things differently with non-clinical drop-in centres, free mentoring programs and their one-of-a-kind mobile outreach van “Monty the Man Van.”
Whether you’re a bloke who’s been disconnecting without realising it, or someone who wants to know how to check in on a mate, this one’s for you.
Follow Hypotential:
Website: https://www.hypotential.com/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/
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Connect with Men’s Talk:
Website: https://www.mtalk.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mens_talk_au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MensTalkAU
In this episode
- 00:00Preview clips
- 00:37What is Men's Talk and what do they do?
- 01:42Drop-in centres and who uses them
- 02:45Why community and sport are essential for men's mental health
- 03:10Suicide statistics, 7 men every day in Australia
- 04:50Why WA and regional Australia are hit hardest
- 05:18Why men are 50% less likely to seek help than women
- 06:13The "she'll be right" culture and the mining and trades workforce
- 06:56FIFO workers and mental health
- 07:05Tradies are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than from a work accident
- 08:11How the narrative around men's health is starting to change
- 09:17Kane's personal experience, injury, isolation and the pull back to sport
- 11:41Gen Connect, Men's Talk's school mentoring program
- 13:51Social media, the manosphere and online role models
- 15:02Sporting clubs and gyms vs social media for real connection
- 16:00Gaming, online communities and alternative forms of connection
- 17:40Why regional men struggle more, the red zone map of Australia
- 19:01Lifeline statistics and how many Australians are struggling right now
- 20:15What personally drew Jevyn to work in men's mental health
- 21:50Religion and church as a form of community connection
- 23:51Is the younger generation drinking less and what does that mean?
- 26:51What can men do if they're not into sport or gaming?
- 28:24Balancing young kids, a busy business and losing your friendship circle
- 31:45Why men need an outlet outside of home and family
- 33:47How to approach Men's Talk, it's casual, not clinical
- 35:38All Men's Talk services are completely free
- 36:19Men's mentoring program and how it works
- 38:15When Men's Talk escalates to professional support
- 39:27How Men's Talk works alongside psychologists
- 41:32What happens if someone comes in at crisis point
- 42:33Prevention vs early intervention, catching men before they fall
- 42:58The most at-risk groups, retirees, career changers and divorce
- 44:37What men can do when they retire to stay connected
- 45:28Monty the Man Van, the mobile outreach van explained
- 47:08Do men actually plan for retirement mentally?
- 48:23Kane opens up about stress, business losses and coping with two kids
- 52:48How Kane got through losing $2.2 million in a financial year
- 54:16What long-term impact is Men's Talk trying to create?
- 55:31Is the conversation around men's mental health actually growing?
- 56:49How to support Men's Talk or refer someone you're worried about
- 58:19Free mental health first aid courses and how to get a spot
- 59:20How to start the conversation with a mate who's struggling
- 01:00:21Wrap up
