It is Men’s Health Week this week and we had Professor Ian Hickie on to talk about men’s mental health. Whilst psychological issues impact both men and women, men don’t always connect their emotional responses to challenging situations to having a mental health problem and therefore they are less likely to seek assistance. Whilst initiatives that encourage men to start talking about their emotions are great, we need to acknowledge that men are different to women and need different coping strategies. There are numerous strategies now available online that have the potential to provide greater support for those who are dealing with mental health issues. Professor Hickie believes that the future of mental health treatment for men is likely to focus on activity based communication, where the emphasis is on doing something and generally results in men being more likely to share their experiences.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.