Insight into Men’s Suicide
Suicide is the number one killer of Aussie men aged between 15 and 44. Not road accidents, or cancer, or heart disease. Suicide.
This APS article not only attempts to make sense of the story behind this horrific statistic it also offers solid prevention tactics that address the problem of male suicide.
Instead of talking it out when they’re doing it tough, blokes put on a brave face and try to handle things on their own. Coping mechanisms like alcohol and drugs may offer a numbing distraction, but often lead to increased aggression and isolation and end up pushing men further down a dangerous path.
And even when men do admit to themselves that they’re struggling, they are often reluctant to seek help because they feel they should be able to solve their problems on their own.
But while men won’t ask for help, they are happy to provide it to other blokes in need. Workplace organisations like Mates in Construction teach men to look out for warning signs in their co-workers and give them the tools to help their mates when they need it.
By looking out for each other, blokes are now learning to look out for themselves. There’s still a long way to go to encourage men to seek emotional support, but every step towards a more open dialogue about men’s mental health is a step in the right direction.
