13th August, 2025
Parity Consulting was proud to host an eye-opening breakfast with our good friend Tim Hewson, where we broke the silence on men’s mental health, and how we can move beyond "man up" to meaningful connection and support.
Key Takeaways
Breaking the Silence: Key Takeaways from Our Men's Mental Health Event
The Statistics are Sobering. Australia loses nine people to suicide every day, with 75% of those being men.
Despite these alarming numbers, many Australian men continue to struggle in silence, bound by outdated expectations to "man up" and soldier on.
Our recent Men's Mental Health event, featuring passionate advocate Tim Hewson from Mongrels Men charity, challenged these harmful narratives and offered practical pathways forward.
Parity's philanthropy champion - Agnes Villanyi
The Hidden Crisis
The reality many Australian men face was starkly illustrated by Tim’s personal experience: sitting alone, scrolling through phone contacts, and realising there was no one he felt comfortable calling for support during a difficult time.
This scenario reflects a broader crisis: one in three Australian men have no meaningful social connections. For example, when relationships end, men are 13 times more likely to experience severe loneliness and isolation than women, often because they've relied on their partners to develop and maintain social networks.
The Masculine Trap
Traditional masculinity creates what Hewson calls "the masculine trap" – a set of expectations that directly conflict with mental wellness:
38% of men don't talk about their feelings because they consider it unmanly
50% of young men aged 18-24 feel intense pressure to appear "manly"
Men are conditioned to respond to emotional situations through alcohol, drugs, anger, violence, or isolation
These responses, learned from previous generations, create a cycle where men bury their struggles rather than address them through healthier channels like communication and connection.
Tim Hewson - Guest speaker, Founder of Mongrels Men charity
The Power of Connection
Research shows that shoulder-to-shoulder conversations – avoiding the confrontational dynamic of face-to-face discussion – create what experts call "brave spaces." These environments allow men to share vulnerabilities without judgment, moving beyond surface-level interactions to meaningful connection and conversation.
This approach can be life-saving. In one powerful example, a man revealed that the weekly connection and support from his local soccer team prevented him from taking his own life after months of suicidal thoughts.
The Four Pillars of Mental Wellness
Mental health experts have identified four essential pillars for supporting men's mental health:
1. Conversation
Create brave spaces for vulnerability
Practice side-by-side communication (walking, driving, exercising together)
Treat vulnerability as strength, not weakness
Remember: a conversation can literally save a life
2. Connection
Build support networks beyond romantic relationships
Understand that loneliness affects 30% of people even when living with others
Physical connection releases oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine – nature's mood enhancers
3. Movement
Recognise that 50% of Australian men don't exercise enough
Exercise 3-4 times weekly can improve mental wellbeing by 40%
4. Community
Build safety nets of support beyond family
Create supportive workplace environments (where we spend 1/3 of our lives)
Remember: 50% of Australians will experience mental health challenges – meaning half the people around you will need support
Practical Action Steps
The event concluded with concrete actions attendees could take immediately:
The Phone Challenge:
Before leaving, identify someone in your contacts you haven't spoken to recently who might be struggling. Reach out – through face-to-face meeting (preferred), phone call, or text message. The minor discomfort of reaching out is far less than what they might be experiencing.
Workplace Integration:
Develop mental health champions and create environments where checking in on colleagues becomes normal, not exceptional.
Normalise Mental Health:
Treat mental and physical health as equal components of overall wellbeing.
The Path Forward
These principles have been proven effective through programs like Mongrels Men charity, which operates in 20 locations and impacts 7,000 men annually through over 950 programs.
The evidence shows that simple interventions work: men gathering to walk, talk, exercise, and support each other can prevent tragedies and transform lives.
Questions From the Audience
Q: Was everything you spoke about enough for you, or did you have to seek professional help as well?
For 20 years, I lived with fear, shame, ignorance and embarrassment about my mental health struggles. I knew something wasn't right but refused to get help because I thought I could deal with it myself – I'd never been taught to let anybody in. It wasn't until many years later, that I finally started my journey with professional support. This has become a significant part of my life, alongside having communities of blokes I can reach out to for support when I need it.
Q: You mentioned self-care. A lot of what gets marketed as self-care seems like the opposite of what's needed – things you do alone rather than connecting with others. What are your reflections on real self-care?
Real self-care is more than just the physical basics like sleep, water, and exercise. It has to include conversations and connecting with other human beings. Women are naturally better at this, but men haven't been taught how to connect through communication. True self-care means making those support networks part of your routine.
Q: How has your keynote been received in corporate Australia?
While there's been progress, there's a massive disconnect in workplaces. Research shows 90% of leaders think they're prioritising wellbeing, but 92% of employees say their boss doesn't care about them. The keynote inspires and raises awareness, but the real work comes from creating mental health champions and giving people the confidence and skills to have these conversations in work environments.
Q: What would you say to those struggling with how to reach out, or fearing they'll mess it up?
Just do it. Focus less on having perfect words and more on taking action. You can't predict where the conversation will go, but the act of reaching out itself shows you care – and that's what matters most.
Resources and Next Steps
If you or someone you know is struggling:
Crisis support: Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's support: Mongrels Men community programs
Professional help: Speak with a GP, psychologist, or counsellor
The conversation about men's mental health is just beginning. By breaking the silence, creating brave spaces, and prioritising connection over isolation, we can ensure fewer families face the devastating loss of suicide while building stronger, healthier communities for everyone.
Remember: You don't need to be a superhero to help someone – you just need to show up, listen, and connect.
To get in touch with Tim, please see below his details to connect:
Some feedback from our Guests:
Everything from the warm greetings, great hospitality, meeting industry peers and inspiring content from Tim, resulted in a truly AMAZING experience with many takeaways for me personally and professionally. Scott, Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing
Thank you Victoria Buttand the amazing team at Parity Consultingfor the wake up call this morning. Being reminded that 1 in 3 men suffer loneliness and 9 people a day take their life through suicide puts the actions we all can take in our daily lives into perspective. One more conversation and one more check in might be just the difference for someone. Thanks Tim Hewson for such an engaging message. Lindall West, Managing Director at Ombpoint
Thanks so much for a great initiative! Some confronting stats but a very worthwhile morning spent. Thanks Parity Consulting team. Sarah Blake
Many thanks for including me team Parity Consulting and continue the great work Tim Hewson, a lot of great insights. Sam Wright
Such an awesome way to start the day. Expertly hosted by the incredible Agnes Villanyi and Parity Team, and a keynote from a guy who I admire and respect more than I can say. Thank you Tim Hewson, the work you do is incredible! Jason Ajai, InterviewFit
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