Self-care toolkit

Listening is an important part of effective communication. We have conversations throughout the day, but sometimes we’re not listening as well as we could.

Retirement can be an exciting time in your life, finally having the freedom to pursue your interests, travel, or to simply slow down and enjoy life. However, for some men retirement can be challenging. Here, MensLine Australia explores the issues associated with retirement including the loss of a regular daily work routine and associated sense of purpose.

Many people who volunteer know the great feeling associated with helping others, but what people may not know are the proven benefits on overall health and happiness. Volunteering offers countless social, mental and physical health benefits. Here we outline some of the profound impacts of volunteering.

Trying to break old habits and start new ones is never easy. To help you along your journey, we’ve compiled some advice to make those new habits stick.

More people are changing attitudes to men’s mental health & we have some prominent celebrities to thank. Here’s some of the guys raising their voice.

While virtually all exercise is beneficial for general, ‘whole body’ health, cycling is especially great for positive mental health.

Excessive drinking can not only harm your health but also damage relationships you care about. Here MensLine Australia looks at the recommended drinking guidelines, how drinking too much can have a negative impact on those around you, and the steps you can take today to minimise alcohol consumption.

Despite terms like ‘wellbeing’ and ‘wellness’ getting a lot of attention nowadays, its not a fad – looking out for your emotional wellbeing is vital.  Luckily there’s lots of ways to pursue it and they’re easy to do!

Having good people around you is one of the best ways to protect your mental health. Here’s 10 of our fave songs celebrating friendship and mates.

Started in Australia in 2003, the Movember foundation has grown to fund more than 1,200 men’s health initiatives across 21 countries. Movember has a simple goal – to stop men dying young.

Suicide is a major issue in our society. In Australia, it takes more than twice the lives of the road toll, but the truth is we all have the power to do something about it.

It can be hard for some men to express their feelings. They may be embarrassed or worried they’ll be seen as weak. Here MensLine Australia explores ways you can help a mate who may be experiencing feelings of suicide.

Feeling as though your life is out of control, and that it will never get better is a common feeling. Here MensLine Australia discusses ways in which you can help yourself through this difficult time.

It’s a tragedy that the chosen coping mechanisms for so many blokes are the ones that cause the most damage to mental health.

MensLine Australia is an easy way to access professional mental health care. It doesn’t cost you anything (other than a local phone call) and you don’t need a healthcare card. You don’t even need a referral.

As a family member, friend or carer, you are one of the primary sources of support, advice and therapy for someone who is experiencing emotional difficulty or mental ill health.  Here’s how you can help men dealing with mental ill health and emotional issues.

We all know that regular exercise is good for the body. Playing a sport, jogging, cycling or even just walking to work all have physical benefits. Now, there’s even further reason to get fit, with studies suggesting that regular exercise is also good for your mind!

A safety plan helps to get you through the tough moments when experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings. Here MensLine Australia outlines the prompts required to help you work through the steps of your personal safety plan until you feel safe.

We are all constantly bombarded with gender stereotypes, but a new study sheds light on the shifting attitudes of young men in the face of negative messaging about manhood.

Our emotional state often dictates how we behave. Men often feel they need to be self-reliant and provide for their loved ones, so it is not appropriate to express their emotions. Here MensLine Australia challenges that notion offering advice on how you can talk about your emotions openly and freely.

Preventative action is a vital part of looking after your mental health.  Here’s some tips on establishing a ‘mental fitness’ routine.

This Sunday is World Mental Health Day and the start of Mental Health Week in Australia. The theme this year is Do You See What I See? It’s a campaign that challenges some of the stereotypes and perceptions of mental illness.

Mental health issues are more difficult to acknowledge and address than physical ailments, but the symptoms and the impact on our lives can be just as real. Here MensLine Australia discusses the steps you can take today to realise mental wellbeing.

Due to a number of factors , some men’s mental health issues have gone unrecognised for a long time. Many men are still not aware of some of the most common indicators that there’s a problem. So how can you tell if you have an issue that you should consider seeking help with?

The Star Wars series of movies are jam-packed with positive mental health advice. Here we take a look at some of our favourite quotes from these movies.

Never have we been more connected to everyone around us. Advances in technology have launched multiple social media platforms allowing us to be no more than just a few clicks away from connecting to someone, or anyone for that matter! Then why is it we’ve never felt more alone?

Conflict will happen from time to time in your life, but if you deal with it properly, it doesn’t have to be destructive. Here, MensLine Australia looks at the signs of damaging conflict and what you can do.

RU OK? Day is a chance to start a conversation with a mate who is struggling to cope.

MensLine Australia recently sat down with Leon, a social worker with almost 30 years’ experience, to get his perspective of the challenges of seeking help for men.

Many of us deal with difficult situations at work that can have an impact on our mental health. When our job or volunteer work forces us to deal with especially challenging scenarios, its vital to practice good self-care.

We often talk about the power of connections and support networks, as having a strong circle of people around you is one of the single most beneficial ways to maintain your mental health.  Here’s how you can grow social connections from the past, present and future!

The easiest way to ruin a great night is to lose your mate, or get into trouble! So this year, consider the things you can do to have a good night & take care of your mates. Follow our five tips on how to have a great New Years Eve.

Talking to someone about your suicidal feelings can be very difficult. Here MensLine Australia provides options on who you can talk to and what to say.

Serving your country is one of the toughest jobs around. For some veterans, ongoing mental health issues means the conflict continues beyond the battlefield.

Having a good support network is a vital tool in maintaining your mental health and wellbeing. As social creatures, our relationships and connections are a basic and core need, behind only physical and safety needs in importance.

Gratitude for all that we have in life —as opposed to what we want or think we need, is one of the keys to true happiness.

It’s almost time to wrap up 2017, which is a great opportunity to recap some of the common reasons people visited MensLine Australia throughout the year.

Sometimes we can decide on a course of action because we have some degree of control. At other times, the circumstances are out of our control.  Understanding this is key to making better decisions.

A panic attack is an occurrence of strong anxiety and fear (and accompanying physical reactions) that seems to happen without an obvious cause.  Panic attacks are a result of our ‘fight or flight’ instinct engaging, without the threat of immediate physical danger being present.

Mindfulness seems to generate a lot of hype nowadays, but what’s it all about? Mindfulness means ‘being present’ and giving your full attention to the moment we’re in.

There are many reasons why people think about ending their lives. Here MensLine Australia looks at some of the common experiences that can lead to people feeling this way, and the support options that are available.

A new year, a new start… how many times have we said that over the years? At the start of each year, many of us make new year resolutions, and many of us fail to keep them. So why is change so hard?

The rate of mental health disorders between men and women is about the same, yet fewer men access professional help or a service. Men are also more likely to die from destructive coping mechanisms like suicide, drugs and alcohol. Why is that? And can changing the way we talk about men’s mental health make a difference?