During Mens’ Health Week this week (June 9 – 15), beyondblue urges all Australian men to take stock of their mental health and visit the very rugged Dr Brian Ironwood at the Man Therapy website www.mantherapy.org.au.
beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett AC said it was encouraging so many men had seen and responded to the campaign with more than half a million compelled to visit the Man Therapy website, and more than 22,000 in the past month alone.
“It is fantastic that so many men have seen Dr Brian Ironwood during TV sports coverage and responded so well to the very important mental health message he delivers,” he said.
“Australian men don’t like to talk about their feelings, but the Man Therapy website has definitely struck a chord with more than half a million men spurred on to visit the website and get information.
“Dr Ironwood’s delivery is obviously hitting the mark because almost a third have done the mental health quiz and are genuinely interested in getting more information on how to take care of their mental health.”
Of the men who have taken the mental health quiz on beyondblue’s Man Therapy website, around two in five
recorded some level of psychological distress.
More than 90 per cent of men who took part in the Man Therapy website user survey reported they had visited the site for themselves and around 60 per cent visited to find more information about depression.
“This research shows that beyondblue has made great progress in reaching Aussie men with its message
promoting good mental health,” Mr Kennett said.
“However, we have more work to do. I would like to see 100 per cent of Australians familiar with Dr Ironwood, his Man Therapy site and his ‘blokey’ messages, and I hope to see this happen during future phases of the campaign.”
One in eight Australian men will experience depression in their lifetime, and one in five will experience anxiety. While men are less likely to experience depression and/or anxiety than females, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Evidence indicates men are far less likely to seek help for mental health conditions than women, and the numbers of men completing the mental health quiz on the Man Therapy website shows beyondblue’s work is changing attitudes.
For more information visit www.mantherapy.org.au.
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