Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 22
CONVERGE
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How to hold a conversation about mental health
For many men – including the one who’s writing this article – they can
find holding or facing a conversation about mental health a tricky and
daunting task on all fronts. Historically, stigmas and prejudice have
prevented men from reaching out for support. Yet, 43% of men
experience a mental illness within their lifetime - AIHW data suggests.
Suicide rates among men are also significantly concerning. Life of Mind
contends that for every 3,000 suicides per year, 75% are male. Therefore,
holding a conversation about mental health is essential. But first, we must
try to understand what’s impacting men and preventing them from
seeking help…
let’s
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Understanding the stigmas that plague men’s
mental health
Stigmas significantly constitute and act as an
undertone in a range of men’s mental health
studies. Mental Health Foundation reports that
men are more reluctant to reach out for
support and only 36% of NHS
counselling referrals are men.
Echoed on Australian soil, only
one-quarter of men said they’d
reach out for support –
AIFS states.
