At MOB Academy, we talk a lot about showing up — for yourself, your mates, and your future. That message hits a little harder during Men’s Mental Health Week.
This year, we slowed things down and made space for the kinds of conversations we don’t always have. The kind that don’t come with a script. The kind our young men often don’t hear enough.
We asked our staff, students, and wider community one simple question:
“What’s something you wish you were taught earlier?”
The answers weren’t textbook. They came from lived experience — from mistakes, moments of clarity, and things people had to learn the hard way. We didn’t frame them as advice, just as offerings. Things we’d pass on if we could.
What We Heard
Here are just a few of the messages that came through loud and clear:
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“You’re not too much.”
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“You’re allowed to ask for help.”
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“It’s okay to feel everything all at once.”
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“Being strong doesn’t mean being silent.”
Some were shared anonymously. Others were handwritten, filmed, or spoken straight to camera by our staff and students. Every single one was honest, human, and hopeful.
Rewriting the Narrative
Too many boys grow up thinking they have to tough it out. That they can’t cry. That asking for help makes them weak.
We want to change that.
At MOB, mental health isn’t a one-week campaign — it’s something we build into everyday life. It’s in the way our mentors talk to the boys. It’s in the culture we create inside and outside the classroom. It’s in every check-in, every quiet conversation, every reminder that you’re not on your own here.
To the boys who feel like no one’s paying attention — we are.
Carousels, Videos, and Conversations
Across our social media Instagram and Facebook we shared:
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Short videos from staff and students with personal messages
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A community-sourced carousel of things we wish we were taught
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Stats about men’s mental health in Australia, to highlight why this work matters
Why It Matters
Here’s the reality:
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1 in 8 men will experience depression
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1 in 5 men will experience anxiety
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Suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in Australia
This isn’t just about mental health. It’s about culture. About belonging. About rewriting the story of what it means to be a man.
Where to Next
Men’s Mental Health Week is just a moment in the year but the conversations will keep going at MOB.
If you’re part of our community, we encourage you to check in with your people. Ask the real questions. Sit with the messy stuff.
If you’re a parent, mentor, or teacher: talk about your own mental health. Share the things you wish you knew earlier.
And if you’re a young man reading this:
You’re not invisible. You’re not alone. And there is nothing wrong with how you feel.
Need support?
You’re never alone. Here are some places that can help:
