In a culture in which men are consistently encouraged to “man up”, it comes as little surprise that a profound number of Aussie men living with mental health disorders are failing to seek help.
On February 11, 2016 Federal Trade Minister, The Hon. Andrew Robb MP, 64 announced he will not be recontesting the next election, informing the ABC he aims to focus on continuing to treat his ongoing, personal battle with depression, and hopes to work on mental health advocacy.
In 2009, Mr Robb made the difficult decision to address his life-long battle with depression, taking leave from the Shadow Cabinet to trial a variety of medications over a six month period.
According to the ABC, since Mr Robb divulged his mental health battle to the general public, other Government officials, including Queensland MP, The Hon. Warren Entsch MP and NSW Liberal Leader, The Hon. John Brogden MP, have also gone public on their respective mental health struggles.
So why are so many of us, particularly those in the public spotlight, unwilling to divulge our personal mental health battles?
As reported by SBS, Mr Robb said he took so long to publicly acknowledge he was living with depression because of the negative stigma attached to depression, and the discussion around mental illness in Australia.
Research published in Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, 2014 investigated the link between job authority, gender and depression. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Texas, suggested women experience more symptoms of depression as they gain higher authority, while men experience less.
In a 2014 report by UT News, the study’s lead researcher, sociologist Tetyana Pudrovska from the University of Texas, said “Men in positions of authority are consistent with the expected status beliefs, and male leadership is accepted as normative and legitimate.”
Australian advocacy group Beyond Blue, supports these research findings, claiming, yes, women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, BUT, men are less likely to discuss their mental health issues with others. Beyond Blue explain depression is directly linked to suicide, and state in Australia there are approximately 2,200 suicides each year, 80 per cent of whom are men.
The challenge facing people like Mr Robb, and Australian mental health advocacy groups, is that they must consider ways to successfully address the stereotypes associated with mental health, and eradicate stigma, particularly of a gender-specific nature.
A note to the blokes
Fellas, we encourage you to “man up” and address your mental health issues, for ignoring is of no benefit to anyone. So be brave, and speak up!
If you, or someone you know, is living with mental illness, “speak up” and contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 43.
If you are a man requiring tailored help for mental illness, head to Man Therapy at www.mantherapy.org.au, or call 1300 22 2638.