by Dr. Ambrose Marsh, Chief of Staff, Saanich Peninsula Hospital –
It’s June again and time to talk about men’s health (and time for me to write another article). All health concerns are important, but this year, I wanted to highlight a subject that is a little less comfortable to talk about. There is heightened mental health awareness, particularly amongst our youth population, with the help of national campaigns such as Partners for Mental Health’s “Not Myself Today” or Bell’s “Let’s Talk.” There are even community events like Music Makers and Stigma Shakers, an evening dedicated to mental health awareness and fundraising for British Columbia Schizophrenia Society and NEED 2: Suicide Prevention Education & Support.
As the summer approaches, it’s interesting to note the long-standing myth that depression and suicide peak during the winter months. However, numerous studies over the past few years have provided evidence to the contrary. In Canada and other Western nations, there is a startling and consistent pattern of peaking suicide rates during the springtime and summer. Specifically, the Canadian Mental Health Association reports that among all Canadians, four out of five suicides are male.
So what about our adult male population? When it comes to Canadian men, it’s clear that societal attitudes play a twofold role in harbouring stigma surrounding mental health. Not only does mental illness still carry negative connotations, men face societal attitudes that have allowed rampant silence around the topic of men’s mental health. Studies have shown that women are more likely to recognize illness and go to their doctor for help; men, on the other hand, commonly overlook their symptoms or view them as insufficient reasons to seek medical attention. As a society with deeply ingrained notions of masculinity and strength, illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are often viewed as emasculating, and swept under the proverbial bear rug.
It’s time to man up and talk about the facts. 840,000 Canadian men experience depression every year. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 2011 report, one in 10 men will experience depression during their lifetime and on average, seven men take their own lives each day in Canada alone. These statistics are only focused on depressive disorders; anxiety, schizophrenia, and personality disorders account for thousands of other individuals.
I know that at some of the Island Health meetings I attend, there is a renewed focus on improving access to mental health care, in all of its many forms (such as counselling, specialty care, support initiatives and community outreach programs). While there are emerging organizations and support resources for those who experience mental illness, the fundamental solution is talking about it.
If you have experienced social withdrawal, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, sadness, irritability, the inability to concentrate, fatigue, insomnia or suicide ideation, do not be afraid to reach out. Having experienced a major life event, such as the loss of a loved one, a career change or a move, can also play a role in your mental health; likewise, if you have a diagnosed mental condition, please take care of yourself and find support. My key message for men, in fact, all of us, is that it is important for us to seek out help and stay connected. Talk to a doctor and share with family and friends.
Please be well.
