The number of boys aged between 10 and 12 accessing Menslink counselling services has risen to 15 per cent of the program's clientele in less than a year - and almost half of them have been affected by family violence.
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Menslink extended counselling to boys aged 10 onwards mid-last year after previously offering services to people aged 12 and older.
Within six months the youngest age bracket made up 12 per cent of counselling clients, rising again this year to 15 per cent. Chief executive Martin Fisk expects that number to grow.
Menslink has hired two extra counsellors and has an extra person starting in its education program on Monday to keep up with demand.
Preliminary statistics show 47 per cent of the boys have been affected by family violence, whether as victims, witnesses or perpetrators, compared with 36 per cent in other age groups.
Mr Fisk acknowledged the figure was alarming but said it presented an opportunity for change.
"I think the real opportunity for us is in that younger age group, getting them to deal with their strong emotions and manage their anger before those behaviours become entrenched," he said.
"If we can turn these behaviours around we can help these men live better, happier, healthier lives, have more productive relationships.
"We're helping their mums, their schoolmates, their future partners."
Boys have also presented with issues related to bullying and family breakdown.
“We’ve had suicidal kids already, at that age [10]," Mr Fisk said.
"We’re pulling out all stops to do whatever we can."
Asked whether Menslink had the resources to cope with demand, Mr Fisk said, "I hope so."
Demand has risen for school-based counselling, with 12 schools across the government and non-government systems now receiving regular visits from Menslink.
And more schools - including primary schools - are requesting Menslink education program Silence is Deadly.
The initiative runs as group sessions featuring a talk, videos and a question and answer session, aiming to destigmatise seeking mental health assistance.
Mr Fisk said he believed a range of factors had contributed to the rise in boys seeking support, including exaggerated conflict in traditional media, the "perfect lives" presented via social media and the normalisation of alone time, with most families boasting multiple screens on which each person manages their own entertainment.
"It does concern me and I don’t have a ready answer," Mr Fisk said.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows young girls are about twice as likely as boys to attempt suicide, but young boys are at greater risk of death by suicide and less likely to seek help.
The ACT government has pledged to introduce 20 new school psychologists across the public system by 2020.
Support is available by phoning Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
