Recently, I shared my belief that the “race to the middle” politically and socially appears to be over. Increasingly, extreme viewpoints dominate public discourse, capturing our attention and shaping our perceptions.

Today, I want to talk specifically about young men, those in their late teens through mid-30s. Though I’m no longer in this group, I vividly remember navigating that period filled with uncertainty, questions, energy, and plenty of mistakes.

Some of you may know that having worked in the justice sector, I’ve seen this issue from multiple angles. I’ve spent time face-to-face in prisons with some of the most profoundly lost and struggling young men you could imagine. In those conversations, accountability wasn’t avoided but balanced with genuine humanity. Every conversation reminded me of the importance of listening to people, human to human.

Recent statistics highlight this troubling trend with young men:

• 57% of American men aged 18–29 voted for Trump in 2020. (Though Trump isn’t universally viewed as far-right, he’s certainly far from centrist.)
• In Germany, one in four (25%) men aged 25–34 recently supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
• In France, 42% of men under 35 voted for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally.
• In the UK, populist sentiment continues to rise, demonstrated by the growing support for Reform UK.

Mental health statistics among men are equally concerning: 

• Globally, men account for around 75% of all suicides. 
  
• Young men are significantly less likely to seek mental health support, often due to stigma or a fear of appearing weak. 
  

Why is this happening? 

 
Collectively, many young men feel left behind. They navigate an uncertain and rapidly changing world without clear role models, stability, or visible pathways to success. This confusion and frustration can push them toward extreme voices offering simplistic solutions to complex challenges. 
 

What can we do? 

 
First, we need to acknowledge this issue openly without fear of backlash.  
We must let young men know it’s normal to feel lost or uncertain and that these feelings don’t need to be hidden or ashamed of. 
 
Second, we must invest in robust support systems and accessible resources that help young men channel their frustrations positively. Effective mentorship should balance compassion with accountability, encouraging young men to seek support and own their decisions and actions.  

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-MensLine Australia (24/7 phone and online support): 
https://mensline.org.au/ | 1300 78 99 78 

-Beyond Blue – Man Therapy (mental health support for men): 
https://lnkd.in/grNP8AMk 

-MATES in Construction (mental health and suicide prevention specifically for men in trades/construction): 
https://mates.org.au/ 

-Gotcha4Life (building mental fitness and resilience in men): 
https://lnkd.in/guMdpHXY