One in five men will experience anxiety at some point in their lifetime and one in eight will experience depression. According to Anglicare this statistic should encourage us all to reach out to our male friends and family more often.
During Men’s Health Week, Anglicare is urging men and their families to remember mental health is a key component to an active, healthy life and take time out for self-care.
“Many men do not reach out for help and will often try and work through some of these struggles by themselves. Some men may not realise that it is a sign of strength to seek help,” Emma Wilson, Anglicare Mental Health Program Manager, explains.
“It is important to acknowledge when mental health is having an impact on our day to day life and seek some help.
“We are not alone. The high prevalence of men who will at one point in their lives struggle with their mental health means we are all likely to know someone struggling with these issues. It is vital that we check in regularly with our male friends and family members.”
For men who may be struggling now, Emma says they should not try and tough it out alone.
“Talking to someone who cares, such as a friend or a family member, or a professional like a GP, psychologist or support service is the first step to getting some help and finding ways to manage our mental health.
“Our social networks provide emotional support, so connecting with and developing friendships is important. Joining a sporting team or attending recreational activities can help. It would be great to see men having more conversations that ensures they share experiences and coping strategies.
“Getting support will help someone understand their own personal challenges and help them find ways to cope or manage their symptoms.
“A support worker, for example, may help an individual struggling with depression develop a routine of activities that reduce its symptoms. This may include regular exercise, developing a healthy diet and finding ways to improve sleep patterns. A worker may also help people to stay motivated when forming these new habits. In time we can measure if these things have helped manage the depression so that it does not severely impact our day to day life.”
If you or a friend need more information about Anglicare’s Mental Health Services, call us on 9798 1400.
Media contact: publicaffairs@anglicare.org.au