It’s Men’s Health Week. Here’s Why it’s So Important.

June 14 kicks off Men’s Health Week, and we are highlighting the importance of men’s physical, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing.

This week gives us the opportunity to challenge men to take charge of their wellbeing and remind us about key issues impacting men's health.

Some health issues only affect men, and their needs can be very different to women, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone levels.

It is important to have regular check-ups, and to get the screening tests you need. Early detection of illness or disease can help increase your chances of a full recovery.

Men are also less likely to reach out about their mental health struggles, resulting in higher mortality rates from suicide associated with depression.

Effectively managing your mental health can make a real difference to your quality of life. But talking about anxiety and depression can be hard.

Some more interesting (and confronting) facts about men

• 70% of a man’s overall health is controllable through lifestyle choices – having a Y chromosome is not an excuse for unhealthy life choices
• You double your risk of diabetes by drinking more than 10 alcoholic drinks a week
• You are more than 60% more likely to suffer from depression if you are inactive
• Men who sleep 7-8 hours a night have a 60% less risk of a fatal heart attack, than those who only sleep for 5 hours or less
• Men make up 56% of the workforce, yet 94% of workforce fatalities are men
• The top 3 reasons for reduced lifespan in men are cardiovascular disease, suicide and motor vehicle accidents

What you can do for better men’s health

• Attend regular check-ups with your GP. Yes, this could mean a prostate exam.
• It's OK to seek help - don't try to do everything on your own or bury problems. Talk to your family, partner, friends and workmates.
• Be proactive in getting medical help if you don't feel well, have a problem that won't go away or notice any unusual symptoms.
• Get the help you need to manage your life, work, family and financial needs. It’s OK to reach out.
• And most importantly, don't leave it too late to seek help.

So, for all of us with men in our lives, please be proactive in helping them get the help they need to keep living their best life. You can use available hotlines, speak with professionals for the best action plan, and be persistent.

If you're worried about someone, simply letting them know you care can make a big difference. Visit Beyond Blue for some helpful advice on starting a conversation.

Mensline Australia provides confidential online and phone counselling for men. You can reach out to them by visiting their page mensline.org.au or calling 1300 78 99 78

Another great resource to help you find the help and support you need, as well as help you connect to support groups, is HealthyMale.org.au