This talk explores how gendered healthcare, particularly in the mental health space, can better serve Australian men in trade, construction, mining, and transport. Through The Better Bloke Project, Matty Rogers and his team engage directly with one of Australia’s largest male communities, Blokes Advice, reviewing over 10,000 posts and more than 1 million comments each year, along with hosting in-person events and delivering a leading podcast in the mens health space. This real-time insight gives a rare, unfiltered view into the struggles, conversations, and needs of Australian men, especially in the trade, mining, and transport industries.
Rather than rejecting therapy, this session highlights the need for relatability, cultural fluency, and real-world connection in the way we support men’s mental wellbeing. With initiatives such as BBQ & Chill events, workplace talks, and the Better Bloke First Responder Program, the project has proven there is more than one way to get men talking, connecting, and taking action.
Backed by years of frontline experience and direct engagement with blue-collar men, this talk offers a grounded and evidence-backed perspective on what’s working, and importantly, where we can do better.