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Six out of every eight suicides every single day in Australia are men. The number of men who die by suicide in Australia every year is nearly double the national road toll.1 Moreover, men are less likely to seek help than women, with only 1 in 4 men who experience anxiety or depression accessing treatment. 2

The Movember blogs are not just for men to read about themselves but to provide awareness of men around them. Another behaviour men share is to ‘mind your own business’. Again, a noble gesture when appropriate but not always correct.

What if minding your own business was perpetuating male anxiety, depression or even suicide in a mate? The toxic of masculinity discussed throughout the Movember articles affectively creates the isolation and secrecy needed for suicide?

Men’s response to depression often involves social withdrawal (including hiding symptoms from others), unwillingness to consult healthcare professionals, and a denial of symptoms 3 Men may rely on that toxic masculine behaviour that includes aggressiveness and alcohol or substance misuse, to reassert their masculine identities, rather than seek medical help.

What are the issues that men struggle with:

Widowed, divorced and separated and those living alone have higher suicide rates than married adults, but higher risks are experienced by non-married men compared to non-married women.4
Men who endorse toxics of masculinity that include attributes of independence and control are less likely to have large, supportive social networks. For these men, marriage acts as an important protective factor, in that it provides them with an important source of stability and emotional support. By contrast, in the face of a change to their marital status – for instance following the break-up of a marriage or death of a spouse – men become more vulnerable to suicide precisely because they are less socially connected than women.5
The toxic of masculinity includes attributes related to success and striving, loss of employment or a decline in socioeconomic status are likely to have a detrimental effect on men’s well-being. Men are more sensitive to negative changes in their socio-economic and employment status, and this may lead to higher risks for suicide.6
Unemployment is typically less accepted by society than women’s unemployment. The impact of job loss also implies a loss of status, routine and work support, all of which may be more detrimental for men than women, especially if men also perceive domestic roles (e.g. caring for children) as being incongruent with their masculine identities.

But men love solutions so:

Men are solitary by nature so they need the comfort of family and friends -don’t mind your own business if you are his friend;
If you have a friend that adheres closely to toxic masculinity introduce him to successful alternatives;
Keep an eye out for the women in these isolated men’s lives;
Reduce the importance of work to masculinity, instead consider it a mere means to an end.

Change the rigid perception of masculinity to one that is healthy -that is the solution.

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016). Causes of Death, Australia 2015, preliminary data., Cat. no. (3303.0). Canberra: ABS.

2 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007. Cat. no. (4326.0). Canberra: ABS.

3 (Canetto & Sakinofsky, 1998).

4 (Luoma & Pearson, 2002)

5 (Burr et al., 1997).

6 (Qin et al., 2003), (Sher, 2006),

Next week strategies that deal with bullies

Men love solutions

Disclaimer

The article below is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace professional advice. For health related information please consult a health professional prior to commencing any program including a exercise or dietary program.

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