Men's Health Week 2026

The theme for Men’s Health Week this year is "101 reasons to see your GP". This campaign is a reminder to visit a general practitioner for routine check-ups, and to be proactive in seeking help for specific health concerns. Of course, this includes getting help with our mental health. This Men's Health Week, it's worth remembering that for all men in our diversity, that mental health isn't separate from health - it is a key part of health.

Mental health and substance use challenges are among the leading contributors to the overall ill-health of Australian men. It’s important to remember that how we think, feel, connect and manage tough times affects every part of our lives - our relationships, our work, and our physical wellbeing.

Men from the LGBTIQ+ communities experience mental health and substance use challenges at rates 2-4 times higher than our non-LGBTIQ+ peers. This is driven by the impacts of stigma, discrimination and social exclusion, and these rates are even higher for those who experience additional racial or other types of discrimination.

Men also experience a range of barriers to self care including seeking medical help.
We may carry messages, consciously or not, that seeking support is a sign of weakness. While it can be tough to reach out, especially when things are hard, finding extra support when we need it is really important for our wellbeing. Stigma around mental health can also make it feel hard to ask for support.

While there have been many improvements in health care in terms of inclusion, men from the LGBTIQ+ communities, and from cultural minorites often face added challenges in finding safe and well-informed providers, which can further add to reluctance to seek support.

I feel passionate about shifting the conversation so that every man feels empowered, safe, and seen when interacting with the healthcare system. Self care is clearly important for our individual wellbeing, but also in modelling this and showing care for each other, we can contradict messages about masculinity and our right to expect safe and appropriate care.  

Whatever our experience, seeking help and seeking it early is a key part of caring for ourselves.

Seeking out safe and inclusive services and prioritising our physical and emotional wellbeing is a really important aspect of challenging messages about our worth.

Of course, taking care of yourself shouldn't be limited to just one week in June. It’s about the small, everyday acts of self-care - booking that GP appointment you’ve delayed, reaching out to a friend, or looking after yourself in other ways.

Let’s ensure this Men’s Health Week is one where everyone, regardless of their gender identity, sexuality or background, feels empowered to prioritize their wellbeing.

At Q Psychology, we recognise that every person’s journey is different and we acknowledge that finding appropriate support can be a challenge in itself. Help is available, and seeking support is one of the key things we can do to build resilience and strong connections - for ourselves and our health - this week, and every week.