In simple terms, your mental health refers to the way you think, act, and feel.
The World Health Organisation identifies mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.
Mental health issues can also be related to other health conditions such as low testosterone, obesity, or treatment for health conditions, such as cancer treatments.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there is a much higher suicide rate among Australian men. On average, six Australian men commit suicide each day. Men are less likely to reach out and get the support they need if they are having problems such as anxiety, depression, loneliness or chronic stress.
There are a few reasons why this might be the case:
Everyone’s mental health has its ups and downs, meaning that your emotions or feelings can change often — this is normal. But if your mental health is poor, you may feel negative emotions on an ongoing basis.
Because men may be more likely to bottle up their emotions, there is a higher likelihood of their mental health issue becoming worse. This can have devastating consequences, as we see with the number of male suicides each year in Australia.
So, let’s open up the conversation when it comes to men’s mental health.
What are the most common mental health issues in Australian men?
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues in Australian men. According to Beyond Blue, 1 in 5 Australian men will experience anxiety at some point in their lives and 1 in 8 Australian men will experience depression at some time in their lives.
Anxiety is a mental health disorder characterised by feelings of worry or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
According to MensLine Australia, other common mental health issues in men may include loneliness and chronic stress.
What are some of the causes of mental health issues?
The causes of mental health issues can be complicated. Often, there may be more than one cause. What may be a root of ongoing distress for some men may not cause distress in others.
The most common causes of mental health issues in men include:
What are some of the signs and symptoms that something is not quite right?
What should you do if you are worried about your mental health?
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should reach out to someone you trust as soon as possible. Do not assume that these feelings will go away on their own.
Talking to someone you trust is the first step in the right direction to getting the care and support you need.
If you don’t have someone you can talk to, there are a number of national helplines on the Beyond Blue website that you can call for confidential support and advice on next steps.
