A Veteran’s Journey Into Men's Mental Health

Men Like Us was created from lived experience, not theory.

I’m Matthew Mangelsdorf, an Australian Army veteran, mental health advocate and the founder of Men Like Us. During my time in service, I was deployed to the Solomon Islands, Bougainville, East Timor and Afghanistan. Those years shaped who I am. They taught me discipline, resilience and responsibility, but they also exposed me to the realities many men carry long after the uniform comes off.

Since retiring from active service, I’ve volunteered in hospitals and worked closely with veterans and families impacted by PTSD. What I’ve seen time and time again is that men's mental health is often ignored until things fall apart. Men are expected to cope, push through and stay quiet. That silence comes at a cost.

Men Like Us exists to challenge that silence. (Learn more about Men Like Us)

The Question Every Man Should Ask Himself

One of the most important questions I ask on my mental health podcast is simple:

Are you showing up as the man your family can rely on?

Not a perfect man. Not a tough man. Just an honest one.

Growing up in South Australia, I was surrounded by strong social culture. Footy, mates, pub nights, bikes, laughs and plenty of distraction. On the surface, everything looked fine. But underneath, there were behaviours and habits that many of us had normalised, even when they were slowly eroding our mental health, our relationships and our sense of purpose.

For a long time, I didn’t question it. Many men don’t. That’s where the real damage begins.

Calling Out What We've Normalised

The mission behind Men Like Us is about awareness and accountability.

We talk openly about alcohol, drugs, gambling, health, emotional distance and how our actions affect our partners, children and communities. If we don’t address these behaviours honestly, we end up dealing with the mental health consequences later, often in isolation.

This platform is built on a few simple truths:

• Men need to be honest with themselves

• Men need to speak up before things spiral

• Men need spaces where truth is welcomed, not judged

That’s what this mental health podcast is about. (Listen to the podcast)

Redefining Masculinity and Mental Health

Masculinity isn’t something to be ashamed of. But the version many of us inherited was incomplete. Tough. Silent. Emotionally disconnected.

At Men Like Us, we talk about masculinity in a healthier way. We talk about emotional presence, boundaries, responsibility and growth. Not just for ourselves, but for the people who depend on us.

This isn’t about tearing men down. It’s about giving men permission to rebuild themselves honestly.

What You'll Find at Men Like Us

Through the podcast and written content, we explore topics like addiction, grief, fatherhood, identity, faith, relationships and failure. These conversations are grounded in real stories, lived experience and the belief that change is possible.

This isn’t about blame or shame. It’s about breaking cycles and choosing a different path forward. One built on responsibility, resilience and connection. (Listen to the latest episode)

Moving Forward Together

There is always another step forward. Another chance to show up better. Another opportunity to improve your mental health and the way you live, love and lead.

If this podcast resonates with you, share it. Subscribe. Talk about it. Every conversation matters, and every listen helps shape the future of Men Like Us.

This is about becoming men our families can trust, our mates can rely on and we can be proud of.

And this is only the beginning.