1 In 3 Aussie Men Think Talking About Their Mental Health Will Put Their Jobs At Risk

men's mental health - Suits

Looking after our mental health is hard enough without letting certain stigmas get in the way. Thankfully, that ridiculous stigma is increasingly being rejected, however new research from Movember shows it’s not gone.

Published ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow, the poll surveyed 1,000 Australian men aged between the ages of 18 and 75.

It found that in Australia, one in three men are worried that discussing their mental health at work could put their jobs at risk.

Further to that, almost half of the men surveyed feared being negatively talked about behind their backs at work if they were ever to bring up their mental health. Two in five felt they wouldn’t get a promotion.

When the 2017 Australian Bureau of Statistics Report found that three out of four suicides are men, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported just this year that suicide is still the leading cause of death for men under the age of 44 – the need to dispell this stigma becomes very clear.

“We need to find effective ways of tackling that stigma so that men aren’t discouraged from getting the help they need,” says Movember’s global mental health and suicide prevention director, Brendan Maher.

“In the workplace, this can start with leaders encouraging conversations about the tough stuff and reminding staff that they won’t be marked down and will be supported if they are struggling.”

The research has prompted Movember to launch their Man of More Words campaign, sharing real stories of men who have benefited from speaking up in the hopes of helping more men open up when they need help.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or suffering from mental health issues, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

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