But Course Director in the Charles Sturt University School of Psychology and clinical psychologist Associate Professor Gene Hodgins explains why we need to speak up about men’s mental health every month of the year, not just for Movember.

Men are falling through the cracks

The statistics around the mental health of men in Australia are sobering:                                                                                                                

• 50 per cent of men will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives
• One in eight men will experience depression and one in five men will experience anxiety during their lives
• Surveys from around the world find that males everywhere are reluctant to talk about their mental health
• Men make up about seven out of every nine suicides every day in Australia
• The number of men who die by suicide in Australia every year is nearly double the national road toll
• If you are a man living in a regional area, your chances of experiencing a mental illness are 1.5 times greater than for men in the city.

Stigma around men’s mental health

These statistics are due, in part, to the greater reluctance among males to seek mental health treatment, and their internalised expectations around ‘masculine behaviour’.

Many males find themselves grappling daily with prescriptive, antiquated ideas about gender - and this struggle can contribute to their mental health issues.

It can also explain why so many males have a difficult time admitting that they need help and seeking it out.

How men show their distress

Males who are depressed or anxious may exhibit high levels of anger, aggression, and irritability, or showcase their distress in other ‘culturally acceptable’ ways.

By comparison, females with depression or anxiety may display signs of low mood and withdrawal instead.

Symptoms of depression in men can be physiological, such as a racing heart, digestive issues, or headaches. In fact, men are more likely to see their GP about physical symptoms than emotional symptoms.

Men who experience depression may also self-medicate with alcohol and other substances. Unfortunately, this can exacerbate their issues and put them at risk of other health conditions.

What can we do?

Men are known for bottling things up. Therefore, the task becomes, how can we help them open up about their feelings?

One way is to turn the message around – that problems with mental health are common, and not a sign of weakness, and that it takes courage to admit you have a problem and to reach out for help.

We need to encourage the view that when you’re feeling down, taking action to call in extra support is the responsible thing to do.

When men effectively manage their mental health it can lead to significant improvements in their quality of life, and that of their family. It can alsoincrease their capacity to support their own family and mates, and enable them to perform at their best.

Meeting men where they are

Movember has grown to become a well-recognised international event and a symbol of positive approaches to men’s health issues.

One key to its success is the ability to talk about men’s mental health issues in accessible ways. It brings information to men in locations, formats and messages that are familiar, comfortable, and well suited to how guys communicate.

How can I make it easier to talk?

Adapting approaches to men’s strengths, especially when communicating, can help create the conditions that encourage and nurture deeper conversations.

If there’s a man in your life that you’re worried about, here are some simple things that can help him open up and talk to you more freely:

• Talk while ‘on task’
• Sit or stand side by side
• Don’t make it a big deal
• Language is important
• Engage ‘the fixer’ mindset
• The offer of listening and help is most important

Helping yourself

There are many practical things you can do to help support your mental health.

Talk to people you trust or seek professional support. There are also online resources to help you foster mental wellbeing and address your mental health concerns.

Males who experience suicidal thoughts should know that help is available. Therapy, medication, community interventions, and real-world assistance can lessen suicidal ideation and help address depression.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine on 1300 78 99 78, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

ENDS