Most young men entering the workforce for the first time want support, guidance and connection. But walk them into a big wellbeing session or hand them a generic advice sheet…and it rarely sticks.
Dan, one of our long-time mentors and NSW State Manager at Top Blokes, has seen this up close in schools, on worksites, and across Australia’s workforce. He says it plainly:
“The biggest thing for young men is safety. In big one-day sessions, they just don’t feel comfortable enough to actually talk.”
So what does work? A different approach – one designed with men in mind.
Why traditional wellbeing programs miss the mark
Dan describes what many workplaces overlook: wellbeing messages aimed at everyone often miss the issues that matter most to men.
“There are things impacting men’s mental health that we ignore when the program is too broad – anger, relationships, alcohol, drugs, gambling, the expectations we put on ourselves.”
Men won’t open up in spaces that feel too large, too formal, or too generic. And when the advice is disconnected from their reality, they sit quietly and listen…but nothing changes.
Why it’s hard for young men to ask for help
Even when support is available, young men often avoid it.
“Going into an office and talking face-to-face can be terrifying for young men.”
Dan hears the same reasons again and again: They’re worried about judgment. They aren’t sure who to trust. They feel that sharing any concerns will impact their career progression. And they want support to “fix things fast”.
“A lot of guys say they reached out once but didn’t feel heard. They think it should feel easy or comfortable – and it doesn’t.”
For many men, one awkward experience is enough to shut the door completely.
The weight of masculinity expectations
Underneath it all are deeply wired beliefs about what it means to “be a man.”
“People think resilience is pushing through until burnout. But resilience is actually learning, adjusting – not repeating the same patterns.”
Young men feel pressure to be capable, confident, tough, and in control. But pretending you’re fine all the time is exhausting.
When these expectations go unchallenged, men carry them into every space, including home and work.
What changes when you create psychological safety
On work sites and in corporate teams, Dan sees the same dynamic: big banter, quiet pressure.
“People say they care about men’s mental health, but the way they treat each other doesn’t always match that.”
But in the right environment where vulnerability is modelled, not forced — everything shifts. Men start sharing. They start listening. They start supporting each other. And importantly, they start showing up differently at home and at work.
Why mentoring works
Ask Dan what makes mentoring so powerful, and his answer is immediate: connection.
“In a large setting, you can’t share your story. In a small group, you can unpack it, learn from each other, and build a path forward.”
Mentoring works because it is small, consistent, real and relational. Mentors share lived experience. Men share back. Stories connect.
Over weeks – not one hour – trust builds. Men learn to set boundaries, navigate conflict and reflect on their behaviour.
“I’ve seen guys keep each other accountable long after the program ends.”
That’s the change that sticks.
A different way forward
The message is clear: men don’t need more one-off programs.
They need safe, consistent, relatable spaces where they can show up as themselves – not the version they think they’re supposed to be. And that’s something that can only be built over time.
When men feel seen and supported, they don’t just cope better; they thrive. They communicate, become more accountable and resilient, and they are ready to lead themselves and others, carrying those skills into every part of their lives.
Interested in bringing the Top Blokes 18-24 workplace program to your workforce?
