A Gen-Z led mental health organisation is using a new approach to connect with young men experiencing behavioural and other challenges, with plans to expand across Australia.

Australian males, particularly young men, face one of the nation's most severe mental health crises.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australian males aged 15 to 24, accounting for around one-third of deaths in that age group, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Julia*, a mum of four, said COVID was a difficult time for her family between managing home schooling, work and isolation during strict lockdowns in Victoria.

When lockdowns finally ended, her son Thomas - previously a sociable, sporty child - did not want to go back to school.

"It took a while before I realised what was happening with Thomas wasn't normal readjustment ...  we had a boy who was struggling and needing mental health care," she told AAP.

Navigating the childhood mental health system as well as NDIS for help proved challenging, with Thomas not responding well to traditional supports.

"Programs that require you to leave the house assume you have a child who has the ability to leave the house, when they might not even be able to leave their bedroom," she said.

"If kids don't feel supported and trust the people around them they won't respond."

Things changed when Julia was recommended to contact Headstart, a Gen-Z led mental health organisation that uses lived experience as the primary tool to connect with clients.

The service provider focuses on boys aged 12 to 25. Nine in 10 families with a son being supported by Headstart see improvements in their routines, independence and wellbeing.

"I felt when Headstart came over that they were on the same wavelength as Thomas, with no judgment and had a very relaxed way of communicating," Julia said.

"He's really evolved massively in the past two years and the confidence he has gotten by having one of these people by his side has made such a difference."

Nick Irving founded Headstart in 2024, following his own experience in the mental health system which he said often fell short for many people.

"I found in the system there is often a Band-Aid approach, and a lot of time medication is prescribed which can sometimes be helpful," Mr Irving said.

"But it was a blanket approach rather than looking at determining specific factors for individuals."

Headstart is Melbourne-based, takes the approach of 'by boys, for boys' and partners with Monash Children's Hospital and the Victorian justice department. 

The organisation plans to expand to other cities and regional areas, starting in Sydney.

Headstart workers have lived experience with mental health challenges which allows them to connect to clients, many of whom live with a disability or have faced juvenile detention.

"A lot of the existing mental health systems are quite one dimensional and set within their ways, but for us it comes down to showing up to what suits the individual best," Mr Irving said.

"We know that being relatable to these boys and leading with the approach that we do is critical for changing outcomes.

"When young men are guided by mentors who genuinely get them, the connection is instant and that's where growth starts."

* Surname withheld for privacy reasons.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

beyondblue 1300 22 4636