Men's Health Week: Four Ways You Can Improve Your Wellness

Trigger warning: this article discusses suicide and depression.

It’s Men’s Health Week and we need to talk about the elephant in the room: men’s mental health. In Australia, nine people take their own lives every day. Seven of those are men.

Sadly, for Aussie males aged between 15 to 44, suicide is the leading cause of death. For Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples the rate is doubled. Likewise, people living in regional areas are twice as likely to take their own lives than those in the city.

Men are not known for opening up to others about their struggles with mental health for a number of reasons including not wanting to appear weak, being embarrassed, feeling like they have no one to talk to, and the negative stigma surrounding mental health.

But here's the thing: taking action and asking for extra help and support is the responsible thing to do for ourselves.

To help guide men in the right direction when it comes to mental health, here are four steps that all men should take when life hits that inevitable rough patch.

1. Have the conversation.

Professionals agree that the first step for any male struggling with their mental health is to have a conversation with someone about it. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts it may be hard to talk about how you’re feeling but remaining quiet can often make it feel worse.

No one should have to go through this alone, and support from friends, family or a healthcare professional can be key to getting better.

2. Seek professional advice.

There is a range of healthcare professionals including doctors, psychologists and counsellors who specialise in men’s mental health and they’re ready to help you get better.

If you have been struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts then begin by going to your GP. They will listen to you and get you started on a mental health plan. This includes identifying what type of health care you need, what you and your GP have agreed you are aiming for, and directing you to local mental health services like a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor.

Remember, the Australian government each year subsidises 10 individual sessions for selected mental health services which will make your treatment sessions cheaper if you’re worried about cost.

3. Stay connected.

Loneliness is a big contributor to men’s mental health and can creep up on anyone, whether they are living alone or not.

For all the jokes there are about “hanging with the boys” it is super important that men get to spend time with their mates. Whether it’s going out for a feed with them, or even just messaging back and forth, it all helps in making blokes feel more connected.

Joining local groups is a great way to build a connected community around you. This can look like participating in sports teams, youth groups, movie clubs or anything that brings people together. Even gaming online once a week with friends is a fantastic way to stay connected.

4. Stay healthy.

It’s no secret that keeping fit and healthy is good for your mental health but it’s always helpful to get a reminder every now and then. Inactive men are 60 per cent more likely to suffer depression than those who are active. That’s not great.

Eating healthy foods, exercising and getting a good sleep each night all play a part in preventing this. Choose exercise that you enjoy too. If you find you hate running but love rock-climbing, then do that. It doesn’t have to be hard exercise either, just going for a walk in the sun is great. Throw in a mate and some coffees and you're getting connected while you do it.

Where to get help.

Aside from talking with friends, family and health professionals, there are heaps of organisations that are dedicated to helping men with their mental health. Below is a list of helpful organisations that specialise in different areas of men's mental health:

• Beyond Blue provide information and support to help Aussies achieve their best mental health.
• Australian Men's Shed Association is a great community for men to go somehwere and talk with sheds in your local area.
• Everyman support men at risk of homelessness who live with mental health issues.
• MensLine Australia is a national phone and online support service for men who need to talk.
• Topblokes run programs for high school students focussing on improving health and wellbeing and reducing suicide rates.

Remember, you're not alone in this struggle and there is nothing wrong with you if you're feeling down. This is very common, with one in eight men experiencing depression and one in five experiencing anxiety at some point in their lives. 

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts? Seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.”

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times

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