Young Men Don’t Need Panic – They Need Connection and Care
Date: Sunday 04 May 2025
A new report from Movember has found that in the absence of real-world connection, young men are looking to online influencers for guidance, with both positive and negative repercussions.
In today’s digital age, young men are navigating a world that’s both more connected and more isolating than ever before. Dr. Zac Seidler’s recent article, based on Movember’s groundbreaking report, sheds light on a critical issue: young men are turning to online influencers for guidance on masculinity, often with mixed results. For those of us at Brothers in Arms, this is a call to action – not to panic, but to step up and provide the support they’re clearly seeking.
The Movember report reveals that nearly two-thirds of young men aged 16-25 regularly engage with men and masculinity influencers. These influencers are no longer fringe figures; they’ve gone mainstream, shaping how young men view themselves and their place in the world. While some of this content can be motivating and inspiring, it often comes with a darker side – reinforcing rigid gender roles, promoting risky behaviours, and leaving young men feeling more distressed in the long run.
Rather than knee-jerk reactions, a clear-eyed and considered response is required, argues Dr Zac Seidler
What’s striking is the paradox at the heart of this engagement. On one hand, young men report feeling more optimistic and motivated after consuming this content. On the other, they’re also experiencing higher levels of psychological distress, including feelings of worthlessness, nervousness, and sadness. This duality highlights a deeper issue: it’s not just about the content they’re consuming, but the connection they’re craving.
At Brothers in Arms, we understand that young men aren’t just passive consumers of this content. They’re actively seeking answers to the challenges they face – from dating and fitness to financial success and identity. These influencers are filling a gap that traditional mental health support has often overlooked. They’re offering a sense of community, validation, and belonging that many young men struggle to find elsewhere.
But here’s the problem: while these influencers may provide short-term motivation, they often fail to address the long-term consequences of their advice. Whether it’s promoting unregulated supplements, encouraging overtraining, or perpetuating harmful stereotypes about masculinity, the risks are real. And yet, the solution isn’t to shame or censor these young men for seeking guidance. It’s to offer them a better alternative.
This is where Brothers in Arms and platforms like Blethr come in. We have the opportunity to create spaces where young men can find the support, motivation, and community they need – without the harmful baggage. By meeting them where they are, we can provide evidence-based tools and resources that address their real concerns, from career anxieties to relationship struggles, in a way that prioritises their long-term wellbeing.
One of the most powerful insights from the Movember report is that young men aren’t rejecting help – they’re just not finding it in the places they’ve been told to look. When 62% of young men believe they should solve problems on their own, it’s not a sign of stubbornness; it’s a reflection of a system that hasn’t fully understood their needs. At Brothers in Arms, we’re committed to changing that narrative. We’re here to show young men that seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a step toward becoming the best version of themselves.
Dr. Seidler’s article reminds us that the conversation about young men’s mental health needs to move beyond moral panic. Instead of wagging our fingers or dismissing their choices, we need to listen – really listen – to what they’re telling us. They’re not asking for pity or lectures; they’re asking for guidance, respect, and a sense of belonging.
So, let’s rise to the challenge. Let’s create programs and platforms that speak directly to young men’s experiences, offering them the tools they need to navigate the complexities of modern masculinity. Let’s build communities that celebrate vulnerability, encourage self-awareness, and promote emotional intelligence. And let’s do it all with the understanding that young men are not the problem – they’re part of the solution.
At Brothers in Arms, we believe in the power of connection, care, and compassion. Together, we can help young men move beyond the quick fixes of influencer culture and toward a future where they feel empowered, supported, and truly seen. The time to act is now – because young men don’t need panic. They need us.
Read Dr Zac Seidler full article here: https://menshealth.com.au/young-men-dont-need-moral-panic-they-need-our-time-and-care/?trk=feed_main-feed-card_feed-article-content
Read the full Movember report here: https://uk.movember.com/movember-institute/masculinities-report
Want to learn about young men's mental health? Have a chat with BraveheartGPT, our mental wellbeing co-pilot below.