Photo by Luke Jones on Unsplash
“Well here is my advice For how to make a splash If you only got a moustache, a moustache, a moustache”
If You've Only Got A Moustache By Amick Byram (click here for the song)
Unfortunately, due to fear, stigma, social norms and bad habits men are not proactive about looking after their physical and psychological health, nor do they seek help when it is clear that they are unwell. This is troublesome because for both physical and psychological illnesses:
Prevention is better than cure and;
Early intervention leads to improved diagnosis and treatment.
“A man's face should never be bare, We just want some facial hair We're all done with shaving, yeah everyone's waiting for beards”
Growing a Beard by The Beards (click here for the song)
What can you do?
Grow a mo!
Go to your Doctor (GP) for a check up
Encourage all the males you know to go to the GP for a check up.
Catch up with a mate you have seen for a while.
Create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace
Reduce the stigma of mental health
Reduce the fear of seeking medical treatment
Be proactive in regards to your physical health and encourage all your male friends to do the same
Be proactive in regards to your psychological health and encourage all your male friends to do the same
For ideas about proactive strategies for improving both physical and psychological wellbeing at work and in life, please read my past blogs or send me an email.
Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent. https://au.movember.com/about/foundation
What are you going to do?
Please send me an email and tell me "What are you going to do for Movember".
References: Ojeda, V.D. and Bergstresser, S.M. (2008). Gender, Race-Ethnicity, and Psychosocial Barriers to Mental Health Care: An Examination of Perceptions and Attitudes among Adults Reporting Unmet Need. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 49(3), pp.317–334. Cleary, Paul D., David Mechanic, and James R. Greenley. 1982. "Sex Differences in Medical Care Utilization: An Empirical Investigation." Journal of Health and Social Behavior 23:106-19. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1557988319856739 New York Times - daily briefing Monday 2nd November https://iepa.org.au/early-intervention-in-mental-health/
Corrigan, P. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, [online] 59(7), pp.614–625. Available at: http://www.acmcb.es/files/425-8237DOCUMENT/Howstigmainterfereswithmentalhealthcare.pdf.
All song lyrics are courtesy of google