A quarter of Australia’s men say they wouldn’t seek help from anyone for mental health concerns, according to new research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
The Institute’s report, Ten to Men: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Male Health, found mental ill-health remains high among Australian men, with up to 25 per cent experiencing a diagnosed mental health disorder in their lifetime, and 15 per cent experiencing a disorder in any 12-month period.
Executive Manager of Longitudinal Studies at AIFS, Galina Daraganova said psychiatric disorders ranged from mood disorders through to substance use disorders, with depression and anxiety the most common among Australian men and boys.
“Among the younger cohort (boys 10-14 years old), anxiety was the most commonly reported mental health disorder – experienced by about nine per cent of boys,” Dr Daraganova said.
“For young men and adults, depression was most common, steadily increasing in prevalence as men got older, from seven per cent among 15-17 year-olds, to 13 per cent in adulthood (men aged less than 57 years),” she said.
Dr Daraganova said the findings also revealed a significant association between loneliness and experiences of depression and suicidality.
Director of AIFS, Anne Hollonds said that with the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic it was more important than ever for Australian men to reach out and seek support when they needed it.
“We know loneliness is significantly associated with experiences of depression and suicidality among Australian men,” Ms Hollonds said.
“And for many people, there may not have been a lonelier time than now,” she said.
Ms Hollonds said that while more than 80 per cent of adult men in the study who had experienced depression, anxiety or suicidality in the past 12 months had been in contact with a GP during that time, around only 40 per cent had been in contact with a mental health professional.
The Institute’s 28-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
If this story raises concern for you, help and counselling is available from Lifeline Australia 13 11 14, and other services.
