New research finds that the Australian mental health system is failing young men and suggests modern technology offers the potential to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Summary:

The first Young and Well National Survey, a scientific study of young men from across Australia, uncovered alarming statistics that suggest our current mental health system is failing young men: 

• Nearly one in five felt that life is hardly worth living.
• Nearly one in 10 thought about taking their own life.
• 42 percent experience psychological distress.
• Unemployment and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress trigger suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

The research also identifies new methods of engagement with young men via technology that matches their current usage and behaviour online, offering new hope for improving their mental health and wellbeing.

Young men with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress were more likely to:

• Talk about problems on the internet, with 66 percent finding it helpful.
• Use the internet to find information for a mental health, alcohol or other substance abuse problem (48 percent).
• Be somewhat to very satisfied with the information they received online (95 percent).

Young men who reported higher levels of psychological distress were more likely to access health information, listen to (or download / upload) music and play games with others on the internet.