Discussions around men’s mental health is on the table again, with the annual Movember event a chance to open deeper conversations about wellbeing.
Movember is a reminder for men to connect, signaling support for each other with a manly ‘stache’.
More than 45 per cent of Australians between 16 and 85 have experienced a mental illness, with 65 per cent of those not addressing it.
Men make up a majority of those not facing their issues, according to Corrimal Men’s Shed Day Manager, Dennis Hamilton.
“Men just clam up and that’s it. They don’t like talking about these things (mental health issues),” Mr Hamilton said.
“It’s just the way we’ve been brought up over the years.”
Men’s mental health organisation, MensLine Australia gives some reasoning as to why men may not seek help with mental problems, but also highlights potential ways to combat the issue.
“They may feel it is somehow a sign of weakness, that their worries aren’t serious enough, or that they’ll be judged by their friends and family,” MensLine Australia states on its website.
“A ‘shoulder to shoulder’ style of communicating tends to suit men better. Many men opt for this style of talking when it comes to serious discussions. A characteristic of this style is that eye contact is usually minimised — think of guys discussing things while watching sport, gaming or fishing.”
Video: The Corrimal Men’s Shed was founded in 2007 as a place for men from the community to come together and provide support for each other while going through hard times. It is one of over 1200 Men’s Sheds in Australia and assists men in overcoming negative masculine tendencies, including not reaching out for help when needing it.