Men’s Mental Health
In the recent years, a topic once largely ignored, has become more and more prominent – Men’s mental health.
Men tend to bottle their feelings up. That is what they were told to do as they were growing up. Chin up, stay strong, she’ll be right, do not let your emotions show lest you be labelled weak.
We now know that this kind of thinking has prevented men from seeking help when they need it. Shocking statistics show that blokes make up an average six out of every eight suicides every single day in Australia. The number of men who die by suicide in Australia every year is nearly double the national road toll.
Trying to go it alone when you’re feeling down increases the risk of depression or anxiety going unrecognised and untreated.
Causes of depression and anxiety vary between people. There are, however, some risk factors:
- physical health problems
- relationship problems
- employment problems
- social isolation
- significant change in living arrangements (e.g. separation or divorce)
- pregnancy and birth of a baby
- drug and alcohol use
- gay, bisexual and transgender men
If you, or a men close to you may be struggling it is important to reach out. Talking about our problems and seeking help is the strong and brave thing to do.
There is help available and depression is a treatable condition.
For more information go to:
- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
- https://au.movember.com/?home
- https://mensline.org.au/
- https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Or call Lifeline on: 13 11 14