June 19, 2025
by Kim Trengove
As National Men’s Health Week (9-15 June, 2025) turned the spotlight on the health and wellbeing of Australian men, Queensland highlighted a range of targeted mental health initiatives designed to address the state’s persistently high male suicide rates.
Across the country and internationally, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among males. In Queensland, government-backed programs are attempting to break the silence by providing men with more accessible, culturally appropriate and community-based support.
Among the more prominent efforts is a $250,000 investment in The Men’s Table, which is helping to establish and evaluate eight grassroots community tables across the state. The initiative offers men a safe and informal space to connect, open up about their experiences, and seek help early — a key factor in suicide prevention.
In some of Queensland’s most remote communities, work is underway to reach men through culturally grounded practices. The First Nations Suicide Prevention Pilot Project is operating in Coen, Lockhart River and Mornington Island, and focuses on engaging local men through trust-building, cultural activities and yarning sessions. The aim is to strengthen connection to community and culture as a protective factor against mental distress.
Meanwhile, a systemic review of male suicide deaths has revealed the need for more nuanced and personalised approaches. The review, conducted by the Queensland Mental Health Commission in partnership with the Coroner’s Court of Queensland, examined 155 cases of men aged 25 and over who died by suicide over a three-month period in 2021.
It found that in many cases, there was little evidence of early intervention or holistic support from services prior to the deaths. The report concluded that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to suicide prevention was unlikely to succeed and that support needed to be better aligned with what men actually need and are willing to engage with.
In response to the findings, the Commission has launched the Reforming Suicide Surveillance project, aimed at improving how information about suicide is collected and used in Queensland. The goal is to better understand patterns and risk factors, and to build a more responsive system of care.
These projects all sit under the umbrella of Every life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019–2029, which includes a broad range of strategies focused on high-risk groups and long-term prevention efforts. Improving early intervention and whole-of-community responses to men in distress is expected to remain a priority as implementation of the plan continues.
In addition to long-term strategies, smaller community-based events also played a role in boosting awareness of men’s mental health over the past year. Funded as part of Queensland Mental Health Week (4-12 October 2025), these included the Gold Coast Men’s Walk and Talk Mental Health Expo in Oxenford, the Deception Bay Men’s Mental Health Forum, a Cuppa, Chat & Chew event at the Burdekin Men’s Shed, and Momentum Arts’ Exploring Men’s Mental Health project in Warwick.
With many programs still in their early stages, mental health advocates say the focus must remain on listening to men’s voices and tailoring support to their lived experiences.
