June 4, 2025
June marks Men’s Health Week in Australia and globally, a time to spark conversations about physical and mental health, identity, and the systems that support (or fail to support) men. At Alyv, we want to broaden the spotlight and talk about men’s mental health through the lens of neurodiversity, something that often flies under the radar.
Men are statistically less likely to reach out for mental health support. In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 44, with men accounting for three-quarters of all suicides. Mental health stigma, gender expectations, and lack of tailored support can all be barriers to getting help.
For neurodivergent men, these barriers can be even more complex.
Whether diagnosed late or navigating life without ever receiving a label, many neurodivergent men grow up internalising messages that their struggles are “just part of being a man” or “not trying hard enough.” Masking, or the effort to appear socially acceptable, is common—and exhausting.
One of our team members shared:
“As a man, I was never taught to talk about emotions, let alone overwhelm or sensory stuff. I just thought I was broken.”
Another reflected:
“I learned to mask really young. I could mimic being confident or funny, but inside I was burnt out and confused.”
These insights come from real Alyv team members, people across a wide spread of neurotypes, bringing both lived experience and compassion to their work.
We need to dismantle outdated ideas of masculinity that discourage emotional openness and seeking help. Vulnerability isn't weakness, it's brave. And it's human.
Support systems must recognise that neurodiversity influences mental health, communication, and how someone engages with support. Services should be flexible, sensory-aware, and inclusive of all communication styles.
Men benefit from seeing themselves reflected in those who support them. That’s why peer-led support, neurodivergent mentors, and inclusive mental health services matter. Feeling seen is the first step toward healing.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available—and it should affirm who you are, not force you to change.
Here are some starting points:
MensLine Australia1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au | Free, confidential counselling for men via phone or online.
Beyond Blue1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au | Support for anxiety, depression, and navigating tough times.
Autism Connect 1300 308 699 | www.amaze.org.au/autismconnect | A national autism helpline offering evidence-based, person-first support.
We know these stories because they live in our team. The Alyv crew includes incredible humans from all walks of life, and across all kinds of neurotypes. We didn’t go out to recruit for that—we just built a workplace where people could show up as themselves, say what they needed, and be met with respect. That should be the baseline everywhere.
So this June, let’s talk more openly, support more kindly, and challenge the systems that tell men to suffer in silence. If you're carrying a mask, we see you. If you're ready to drop it, we’re here. If you're not, you're still valid.
You don’t have to walk it alone.
