This year’s Men’s Mental Health week focussed on the importance of having a team and a strong support network. What exactly does it mean to have a team?
The statistics on men’s mental wellbeing and illness are startling, to say the least. According to Beyond Blue, 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their life and 1 in 5 men will suffer from anxiety. Studies have ascertained that men are 3x more likely to commit suicide than women and unfortunately this number is on the rise. Suicide is the greatest cause of death in Australian men aged 15-44.
Modern societal views around masculinity tend to place a lot of pressure on men from a young age. They are expected to be providers and not rely too heavily on others. In addition, it is seen to be unattractive and ‘unmanly’ to show vulnerability in many cases. The sad truth is, many men do not feel as though they have a team and they tend to bottle up their emotions.
A strong support network is essential to maintaining a healthy mind. Men should be able to feel as though they can lean on, look to and rely on people around them in times of mental distress. Prioritising your physical and mental health is the responsible thing to do and people should not be made to feel ashamed for doing just that.
Research shows that men are much less likely to seek help for acute mental health issues, including suicide risk. Despite the huge focus to shift the stigma around mental health issues and raise awareness, the number of male suicides continues to rise at an alarming rate.
So, how can we help? We need to support our men. We need to encourage them to speak up about their issues without feeling shame or embarrassment. Luckily, thanks to initiatives such as Men’s Mental Health week, there are a number of growing support systems and agencies available to men struggling with mental illness.
Help reduce the stigma around men’s mental health. Support our Aussie men and encourage them to seek the help they need. Build a team.
