Men's Health Week 2026: What Men Are Putting Off and Why It Matters

Men's Health Week 2026: A Guide to Getting Checked

Men's Health Week runs 15 to 21 June 2026. In Australia, it is coordinated by the Australian Men's Health Forum (AMHF) and provides a national focus on reducing preventable illness and death among men.

The statistics behind Men's Health Week are blunt. Australian men die on average 4.5 years earlier than women. They are less likely to visit a GP, less likely to seek help for mental health concerns, and more likely to present for care when a condition has already progressed.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Men's health. aihw.gov.au

What Health Checks Do Men Actually Need?

A general men's health check with a GP typically includes assessment of the following, adjusted by age and individual risk:

A general health check is not only for when something is wrong. It is the mechanism by which conditions that have no obvious symptoms get found.

Common Myths About Men's Health

Myth: "I would know if my blood pressure was high." High blood pressure is called the silent killer for this reason. It typically has no symptoms. The only way to know is to have it measured. In Australia, approximately 34% of adults have hypertension — and many are undiagnosed.

Myth: "Men don't get postnatal depression." A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Health and Allied Sciences found that around 8 to 10 percent of fathers experience postnatal depression in the first year after birth. Paternal postnatal depression often presents differently to maternal — less tearfulness, more irritability, emotional withdrawal, and increased risk-taking behaviour. It frequently goes unrecognised because it looks less like classic depression.

Myth: "Asking for help means you can't handle it." Behavioural research consistently identifies help-seeking avoidance as a primary factor in men presenting late with both physical and mental health conditions. The decision to seek support is not a failure of resilience — it is the most direct route to remaining well for the people who depend on you.

Myth: "If something was seriously wrong, I would feel it." Many of the conditions that most seriously affect men — hypertension, elevated cholesterol, early-stage type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer, skin cancers — are detectable well before symptoms appear. Detection before symptoms is where treatment is most effective.

Men's Mental Health: What to Watch For

Depression in men is underdiagnosed, partly because its symptoms often don't match the public image of the condition. Men with depression more commonly present with:

• Irritability and anger
• Increased alcohol or substance use
• Physical symptoms with no clear cause (back pain, headaches, fatigue)
• Working longer hours or withdrawing from family
• Increased risk-taking behaviour
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Beyond Blue estimates that 1 in 8 Australian men will experience depression at some point in their lives. Men account for approximately 75% of deaths by suicide in Australia.

If any of the above feels familiar — for yourself or someone you know — a GP is a reasonable first conversation. It does not need to be a crisis to be worth addressing.

Source: Beyond Blue. Men and mental health. beyondblue.org.au; AIHW. Suicide and self-harm monitoring. aihw.gov.au

‍

Men's Health Week in Wollongong

Embrace Medical on Crown in West Wollongong offers men's health GP appointments with time for proper conversation. Blood pressure, skin, sleep, cholesterol, mental health, and anything you haven't quite found the words for yet — all of it is worth bringing.

Book a GP appointment this Men's Health Week — no referral required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is covered in a men's health check at a GP? A general men's health check typically includes blood pressure, cardiovascular risk assessment, discussion of mental health and lifestyle, and age-appropriate screening recommendations. Your GP will tailor the check to your age, history, and any concerns you raise.

How often should men see a GP? The Australian Government recommends all adults have a health assessment every 1 to 2 years, with frequency increasing for those over 45 or with existing health conditions.

Is postnatal depression in fathers common? Research estimates approximately 1 in 10 fathers experience postnatal depression, though it is frequently missed. If you have had a baby in the last 12 months and things feel harder than expected, a GP conversation is a good starting point.

Information is general in nature. Speak with a GP for personalised health advice.

Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au); Beyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au); AMHF Men's Health Week 2026 (amhf.org.au); Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU — paternal postnatal depression meta-analysis.

‍