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Encouraging Men to Seek Help: New Study Finds Positive Impact of Music Video on Mental Health

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Australian men face a significant risk of suicide, with three-quarters of all Australian suicides attributed to this demographic. A new study by researchers at the University of Melbourne aimed to explore the potential of music videos as a tool to encourage men to seek help for mental health difficulties. The study involved 221 men who watched a four-minute music video, "Boys Do Cry," and provided feedback through surveys. The results showed that most participants enjoyed watching the video and found the core messaging valuable and necessary. The study highlights the importance of creating narratives that resonate with specific audiences, such as men, to foster meaningful behavior change.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 221 men watched the "Boys Do Cry" music video and provided feedback through surveys, with most participants enjoying the video and finding the core messaging valuable and necessary.
  • The study suggests that music videos can be an effective tool in encouraging men to seek help for mental health difficulties, and that creating narratives that resonate with specific audiences is crucial.
  • The research highlights the importance of seeing diversity in the video, including age, culture, and appearance, to represent the society that men live in.
  • The study demonstrates the importance of including diverse perspectives in mental health messages to encourage men to open up about their struggles.
  • Financial supporters for this research include Suicide Prevention Australia and the Medical Research Future Fund.
  • The study aimed to explore whether a music video could be used to encourage men to express their emotions and seek help when facing mental health difficulties.

Statistics:

  • Suicides by men account for three-quarters of all Australian suicides.
  • The study involved 221 men (aged 18+) who watched the "Boys Do Cry" video and completed two surveys about their opinions of the video and its impact.
  • The study collected data from a broader randomized controlled trial.

Sources:

  • "Boys Do Cry: what do Australian men think of a music video encouraging them to talk about their mental health struggles?." BMC Public Health, 2025, 25(1):1-10. (BMC Public Health - http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)
  • NewsRx. University of Melbourne Researchers Have Published New Study Findings on Mental Health Diseases and Conditions (Boys Do Cry: what do Australian men think of a music video encouraging them to talk about their mental health struggles?). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 1294.

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