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The Hidden Struggles of Australian Men
In our continued effort to improve the state of men’s health in Australia, on behalf of Pilot, YouGov conducted a survey of over 1,000 men and 200 women – to uncover the challenges blokes face while navigating evolving definitions of masculinity. Here’s what we found.
Men are 3x more likely to die by suicide than women.
Yet, 19% admitted they would not seek professional help.
Common challenges to seeking help
The dangers of telling men to ‘just man up’
For decades, societal norms have celebrated the ‘strong and silent type’ of men, encouraging them to suppress their emotions and maintain traditional ideas of masculinity. The result? Widespread anxiety, depression, and sexual health challenges – that often go unseen.
The pressure to “man up and get over it” seems to have come from internal instincts and societal norms but women’s attitudes may also play a role.
36% of women in the survey admitted they would negatively judge a partner for experiencing a depressed mood.
Body image issues are a significant challenge
of men reported body image concerns affecting their sexual performance.
of men admitted to avoiding intimacy due to insecurities.
“My partner's comments affected my confidence and made me look for means to increase size.”
“I think because you hear women say ‘Oh I like a big one or I want it big’, it puts pressure on us to have control over it, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“A previous partner made it very clear she enjoyed it more with her previous partners with larger penises.”
These insecurities commonly stem from an age-old anxiety – penis size.
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Dr Matthew Vickers
Clinical Director and Specialist GP, Pilot
"The survey highlights that body image concerns affect all genders, and unfortunately, for some men, these struggles have led to a complete withdrawal from intimacy."
So, what is the solution?
01
Cultural change
We need to encourage open conversations about men’s health and, where appropriate, challenge traditional ideals of masculinity.
02
Partner engagement
We need to address negative attitudes among partners to foster supportive relationships that make men feel comfortable about seeking help.
03
Accessible support
We need to expand services like Pilot’s, where men have a safe, stigma-free environment to seek help that is readily accessible.
04
Younger generational focus
We need to address the impact of idealised online personalities and encourage supportive conversations to foster emotional openness among young men.
Where Pilot comes in
As Australia’s leading digital healthcare clinic for men, Pilot addresses overlapping issues like anxiety and ED, offering a lifeline for men whose needs remain underdiagnosed in traditional healthcare settings.
"We know Australian men are stereotypically stoic, and whilst there has been some attempts to change the narrative and encourage vulnerability in seeking support, this report highlights that there is still significant work to be done in encouraging men to take the next steps of actually seeking help."
— Matthew Vickers, Clinical Director and Specialist GP, Pilot
72,877 men
address conditions like ED and PE through Pilot’s treatment programs
Over 90%
of men saw success with the ED treatment Pilot can provide
2x
as sexually satisfied than those with partners using a placebo
What patients are saying
“The care and expertise I received have not only restored my confidence but also alleviated pressure in my personal relationships. Thanks to Pilot, I am once again able to fully enjoy intimate moments with my partner, bringing joy and fulfilment to both of us.”
Ray, patient
“As a typical bloke, I don't get to the doctors and more so when it's a hard topic to discuss, like ED. It's quicker and easier to speak to the doctors via Pilot; my life has become so much easier since jumping on board.”
Rowan, patient
“Pilot is the easiest and most private way to get help with any men's sexual and other health issues. No awkwardness just solutions to the issues many men are afraid to talk about.”
Brad, patient
We’ve partnered with This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS), to offer the men we care about the support they deserve.
TIACS offers free early-intervention, short-term mental health counselling. Everyone’s welcome, and no GP referral is required.
By funding counsellor time, we’re helping Pilot patients – and anyone who needs someone to talk to – level up their mental and emotional health.
Call or text 0488 846 988 (Mon - Fri, 8am - 10pm AEST)
All figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,232 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between October 17th and October 21st, 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of ABS estimates for Australian men and women (aged 18+).
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