Suicide is a global problem, ranking amongst the leading causes of death in many countries across the world. Most people who die by suicide are ‘under the radar’, having never seen a mental health professional or been diagnosed with a mental illness. This article describes the protective factors for men experiencing suicidal thoughts, plans and/or attempts, and who are under the radar. Using in-depth qualitative interviews and underpinned by a critical suicidology approach, we aimed to understand stakeholder perspectives of the protective factors that influence men’s wellbeing. The pervasiveness of relational connectedness in men’s narratives was identified as a central protective factor. Other key protective factors included meaningful activity, empowerment and hope. These results have the potential to facilitate the development of focused community initiatives. More generally, this research offers an example of qualitative enquiry into men’s wellbeing that focuses on strengths and positive factors in their lives and may provide a guide for future community-based suicide prevention research.