The Truth About Men, Emotions, and Silence (with Craig Russouw)

In this powerful episode of the Happy Families podcast, Dr. Justin Coulson sits down with Craig Russo, a psychologist with over 20 years of experience in men's mental health, to explore the deep-rooted challenges Australian men face in seeking help for mental health issues. Despite nearly half of Australian men experiencing anxiety or depression in their lifetime, fewer than one in five seek support, and men account for 75% of suicide deaths. Craig unpacks the cultural and psychological barriers—such as stigma, poor mental health literacy, and outdated masculine norms—that keep men silent. He emphasizes how men often externalize emotional distress through irritability, anger, or risky behaviors, making it hard to recognize underlying mental health struggles. The conversation shifts to practical solutions, including the 'Mental Maintenance Manual'—a free guide that encourages men to treat mental health like routine car servicing, with small, consistent habits like sleep, rewarding activities, and face-to-face connection. Craig also highlights the role of telehealth platform Someone Health in improving access to care, especially for those in remote areas or hesitant to seek help.