News.com.au highlights men’s mental health issues in campaign The silent killer: Let’s make some noise

IT’S an issue that many men don’t want to talk about and it’s having a devastating impact on families and communities. It’s time we broke the silence on male suicide.

ON World Mental Health Day news.com.au launched a campaign to highlight men’s mental health issues.

While mental health is an issue across the community, men are three times more likely than women to take their own lives and news.com.au believes this could potentially be changed.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australian men aged 15 to 44 and it’s more than double the national road toll.

Despite the billions that are spent on mental health services, the number of suicides increased by 9 per cent from 2016 to 2017.

It’s something that news.com.au wants to change.

As part of The silent killer: Let’s make some noise campaign, news.com.au is encouraging men to talk to each other, and their family and friends, about what’s going on in their lives.

The campaign will also be supporting the work of Gotcha4Life and the Movember Foundation.

Gus Worland and his friend Gareth Pike co-founded Gotcha4Life to encourage men to identify those people in their lives who they could have deeper conversations with.

Movember mental health and suicide prevention mental lead Dr Nic Vogelpoel said its programs also focused on improving social connections as well as developing programs like their SpeakEasy events where men gather together to have “open, honest and real conversations”, as well reaching young boys through sports.

Click on headlines below for articles published as part of the campaign.

Everyone needs someone they can talk to when the unexpected happens.

DAVE HUGHES ON HIS PERSONAL BATTLE

The popular radio host opened up about his use of marijuana and alcohol, and battles with mental health. Hughesy, now 47, said not really knowing what he wanted to do in his life led to the drug use and battle with mental health during his formative years.

Hughesy with his and Kate — @hughesyandkate Picture: Instagram

CRISIS WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE

Something is very wrong with Australian men. And today, six blokes across the country will take their own lives as a result. Despite campaigns aimed at men’s mental health and enormous efforts to reduce the stigma attached to suicide, there’s still something holding Aussie blokes back from reaching out. And the outcomes of that are alarming.

WHERE TO TURN TO FOR HELP

Aussie blokes are still tough nuts to crack when opening up about their feelings to loved ones. Click here for a full list of anonymous helplines and community support that men can call on.

RADIO STAR’S HORROR PHONE MESSAGE

Triple M radio host Gus Worland has opened up the phone message he received 11 years ago that led to him launching a not-for-profit organisation to tackle men’s mental health.

The death of a friend led Gus Worland to launching Gotcha4Life.

BASIC MISTAKE HOLDING AUSTRALIA BACK

Stop Male Suicide founder Glen Poole believes Australia, and indeed most of the world, has been “missing the point” in its efforts to stop men from taking their own lives.

TWO WORDS YOU DON’T SAY TO MEN

Mental health experts are trying to turn around our idea of masculinity — both in society and in a clinical setting — and steer away from the toxic “man up” culture.

HOW MY DAD’S SUICIDE CHANGED ME

It was Saturday, March 28, 1998, when I received the news that would cast a shadow over the rest of my life.

JC, brother Russ and their dad making snowballs at the snow in 1986.

WHY MEN NEED TO OPEN UP

Experts say our belief that men are bad communicators is actually wrong.

“There’s an assumption men can’t and won’t talk,” says clinical psychologist Dr Simon Rice.

“That’s not true. If the environment is safe, and they don’t feel judged, ridiculed and humiliated, they can.”

PRINCE HARRY’S POWERFUL SPEECH

Prince Harry has delivered an emotional message to Australian farmers and opened up about depression and mental health issues.

Prince Harry speaks at an event in Dubbo as his wife Meghan watches on. Picture: Ian Vogler/AP

‘DARK’ MOMENT PARATROOPER HAD TO FACE

As a paratrooper for the Australian Defence Force, Luke Hill had no trouble jumping out of planes and putting his life on the line but he wasn’t prepared for how much his service would affect him.

Luke Hill was a paratrooper with the Australian Defence Force. Source: CSNSW.

MOMENT THAT ‘BROKE’ COMMANDO

Alan White had his life mapped out. The 44-year-old was a member of the Royal Marines — one of the world’s elite commando forces — and he was on the cusp of promotion and another 10 years of service. Then a routine jog turned his whole life upside down.

Alan White is participating in the Invictus Games as part of the UK team.

TRAGIC WORDS NO PARENT WANTS TO HEAR

When Jackson Saunders admitted to his mum Kelly that he was contemplating suicide, at just eight years old, she was hit with a mix of potent emotions.

WARNING SIGNS EVERYONE MISSED

No one saw it coming but looking back the signs were there and that’s what makes it even worse.

Danny Johnson says he didn't see the signs his brother was struggling with his mental health.

PLEDGE FOR ROYAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has promised a royal commission into mental health if his government is re-elected.

HIDDEN PROBLEM WITH THIS IMAGE

We often talk about the dangerous effect popular culture can have on women’s body image and self-esteem. Quietly, boys and men are suffering from the same problem. Confronted with an ideal which is borderline unattainable, they are left feeling inadequate.

It’s unrealistic for men to maintain a body like Thor’s, which Chris Hemsworth plays in the film.

SURVEY DROPPED AS EXPERT WARNS REDESIGN NEEDED

When Australia got rid of its old lunatic asylums it seemed to put an end to a nightmarish approach to mental health and the horror of treatments like electroshock therapy.

Yet the country’s desire to move away from these terrible institutions saw many grasp for cheap fixes that one expert warns need to be changed.

STEVE SMITH’S CLASSIEST MOVE YET

Cricketer Steve Smith cried for days after the ball-tampering scandal was exposed. But now he’s re-emerged in what’s being called his classiest move yet.

Steve Smith speaking during a press conference in Cape Town as he admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa. Picture: AFP PHOTO / AFP TV / STR

AUSTRALIA’S DEADLIEST JOBS

Tradies, or men in blue-collar jobs, have some of the highest suicide rates in Australia with construction workers killing themselves at double the rate of any other occupation.

FACE BEHIND OUR HORROR STATISTIC

Handsome, popular and adored by his family, Kai Eardley had it all to live for. But the 20-year-old is the embodiment of a horror statistic.

SIX WORDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

Joe Hildebrand spent 15 minutes blurting out his problems. The response was just six words — the most profound advice he’s received.

If you or someone you know needs support with their mental health, please contact one of these support organisations:

• Lifeline 24/7: 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

• MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 or www.mensline.org.au