Beyond Talk Therapy: Rethinking Mental Health Support for Men
Men’s mental health has received increasing attention in recent years, yet many men continue to experience poor mental health outcomes and may delay seeking professional support.
So, what can make it difficult for some men to seek help? And could offering different pathways into mental health care make psychological support more accessible?
In a recent episode of the Blokes Psychology Podcast, Craig speaks with Lewis Burns, psychologist at Blokes Psychology, about men’s mental health, masculinity, stigma and engagement with psychological treatment.
Drawing on his research, Lewis explores why traditional therapy works well for many men, while others may benefit from different ways of initially engaging with mental health support - pincluding activity-based approaches such as surf therapy.
Why Can Men Find It Difficult to Seek Mental Health Support?
There is no single explanation for why someone does or doesn't seek psychological support.
Men are an incredibly diverse group, and it is important to avoid the assumption that all men think about mental health, masculinity or therapy in the same way.
However, research has explored how traditional masculine norms can influence the way some men understand and respond to psychological distress.
Ideas around self-reliance, emotional control, toughness and vulnerability may sometimes make it more difficult to acknowledge that something isn't going well or to ask someone else for help.
For some men, seeking support can therefore involve more than simply recognising symptoms. It may also require navigating beliefs about what it means to cope, be independent or show vulnerability.
Masculinity, Stigma and Help-Seeking
Mental health stigma can affect anyone, but expectations surrounding masculinity may create additional barriers for some men.
A man experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma or relationship difficulties may recognise that he isn't doing well but still hesitate to speak openly about it.
This doesn't necessarily mean he is unwilling to improve his mental health.
Instead, the way support is offered - and the language used to describe it - can influence whether seeking help feels relevant, useful and acceptable.
Reducing these barriers doesn't mean stereotyping men or assuming that every man needs a fundamentally different form of psychology.
It means recognising that one approach won't necessarily suit everyone.
Does Traditional Talk Therapy Work for Men?
Absolutely.
Many men engage extremely well with traditional psychological therapy and benefit from having a confidential space to understand their experiences, develop new skills and make meaningful changes.
The problem arises when we assume that sitting in a consulting room and talking is the only meaningful pathway into psychological support.
Some people may initially feel more comfortable engaging while doing something alongside another person, participating in a group, exercising or connecting through a shared activity.
For these individuals, an activity may provide an accessible starting point for connection and psychological support.
What Are Activity-Based Mental Health Interventions?
Activity-based approaches combine an activity or shared experience with elements designed to support psychological wellbeing.
Depending on the program, this might involve exercise, outdoor activities, group programs or other structured experiences.
One area receiving growing interest is surf therapy.
Surf therapy programs typically use surfing and the natural environment as part of a structured intervention designed to support wellbeing, connection and engagement.
Importantly, these approaches shouldn't simply be viewed as replacements for evidence-based psychological treatment.
Instead, they may provide another pathway through which some people can engage with support - including individuals who may have been reluctant to enter a traditional therapy environment.
Why Surf Therapy?
Surfing combines several elements that make it particularly interesting from a mental health perspective.
It involves physical activity, time outdoors, learning and practising skills, and often a sense of connection with other participants.
For some people, participating in an activity together may also reduce the pressure associated with sitting face-to-face and immediately discussing difficult experiences.
That doesn't mean surfing itself is a treatment for every mental health difficulty.
Rather, surf therapy provides an example of how mental health interventions can potentially be delivered in different environments and formats while still maintaining a clear therapeutic purpose.
Meeting Men Where They Are
Improving men's engagement with mental health support isn't about creating a single special form of “therapy for men”.
Nor should we assume that every man dislikes talking about emotions or needs therapy disguised as another activity.
Instead, the challenge is to provide multiple credible pathways into support.
For one person, that might be traditional individual psychology.
For another, telehealth may make attending therapy considerably easier.
Someone else may initially engage through a group, community program or activity-based intervention before becoming comfortable accessing additional psychological support.
The goal remains the same: providing high-quality, evidence-informed care in a way that people can realistically engage with.
Listen: Beyond Talk Therapy – Rethinking Mental Health Support for Men
In this episode of the Blokes Psychology Podcast, Craig and psychologist Lewis Burns explore:
- men's mental health and help-seeking
- masculinity and mental health stigma
- attitudes towards vulnerability
- barriers to engaging with psychological therapy
- why traditional talk therapy works for many men but may not suit everyone
- activity-based mental health interventions
- the emerging interest in surf therapy
- how mental health services can create more accessible pathways into support.
Listen to the full episode: Beyond Talk Therapy: Rethinking Mental Health Support for Men.
Looking for Mental Health Support?
Blokes Psychology provides psychological support for boys, adolescents and adult men across a broad range of mental health concerns.
Our psychologists work with presentations including anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, trauma, anger and emotional regulation, relationship difficulties, grief, addictive behaviours and neurodivergence.
Appointments are available in person at our Cheltenham and Hawthorn clinics and via telehealth across Australia.
If you're considering psychology but aren't sure which clinician would be the right fit, our intake team can help match you with a psychologist based on your needs, preferences and goals.
