Alcoa supports men’s mental health

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) is supporting the 2025 M8D8 program, organised by WA’s Youth Focus, for its third consecutive year.

The campaign, focusing on the Peel and South-West regions, highlights the importance of conversations between friends and how they can make a significant difference to young men’s mental health.

M8D8 encourages young men to talk about how they are feeling, regardless of whether it is good or bad.

The nearly 50% increase in mental ill health related issues since 2007, highlighting the importance of awareness and support around this topic.

Young people in the Peel and South-West regions can often face significant barriers that delay or even prevent them from accessing the services and support they need, potentially increasing the severity of mental health challenges.

The campaign reminds young men to check in on their friends, ask the hard questions and reach out when things are getting tough.

Alcoa Australia operations vice president Elsabe Muller says that the company has been proud to champion the campaign since its beginning.

“As a major employer in the Peel and South-West, many of our young trade, apprentice and graduate employees live in regional communities where research tells us they are more likely to face significant life challenges and stressors,” she said.

“By encouraging early, healthy and informed conversations around mental health, the M8D8 campaign reinforces social connections and reduces the stigma in young men to share their feelings.

“Reaching out to a mate who doesn’t seem like their normal self might be the very thing that helps them get through a difficult time before it becomes overwhelming.”

Youth Focus Peel and South-West region service manager Mark Barret-Lennard comments on the campaigns impact.

“M8D8 brings home the importance of not only building a network of mates but showing up for them and being real,” he said.

“Isolation and loneliness are feelings many young men in the Peel and South-West have experienced and M8D8 is about relying on and supporting their mates so they have a network of people they can turn to if things get tough.

“Normalising conversations about wellbeing and getting support at the onset of experiences with mental health, rather than at crisis point, can completely shift the trajectory of a young person’s life.”