This five-year collaborative research project between Western Sydney University and the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Mental Wellbeing Team explores the factors influencing men’s mental wellbeing and help-seeking behaviours. It aims to strengthen the evidence base in an under-researched area by examining the dynamic benefits of storytelling as both intervention and insight. The project includes ethics approval, literature review, thematic analysis, in-depth interviews with men sharing personal stories, a community-wide survey, and co-design workshops to inform future phases. Story collection culminated in published narratives promoted through the Centre for Male Health website, local exhibitions, media releases, and public-facing events featuring portrait photography.
Preliminary findings indicate key risk factors include social isolation, marginalisation, cumulative distress, traumatic events, unemployment, and grief. Protective factors include supportive family and community connections, hearing others’ stories, courage, patience, and redefining personal purpose. For the men involved, reported outcomes included increased self-confidence, recognition of storytelling’s power, adoption of healthier definitions of masculinity, prioritisation of wellbeing, and a shift from feeling like a burden to becoming an advocate. Survey responses reflect changing community attitudes toward men’s health, greater awareness, and increased support for mentoring and accessible services. The project contributes meaningfully to population health by advancing narrative-based approaches to mental health promotion, particularly in hard-to-reach groups.
The project is currently being adapted in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and staff in South Western Sydney to ensure it is culturally safe, strengths-based, and community-led.