Australian men have poorer health than women but are less likely to seek help. Local experts say Men’s Health Week, running from 15 to 21 June, is the perfect time to take action.
From suicide and divorce to prostate cancer, heart disease and isolation in retirement, health professionals say that too many men will only seek help when problems become severe.
Two in three Australian men delay seeing a GP when they notice a health issue, despite many of the biggest killers developing slowly and silently.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with one in seven men diagnosed in their lifetime, and it can be confused with overactive bladder syndrome.
Seaforth-based Luke Herzog from Duke Men’s Health is a physiotherapist and mainly treats men with prostate cancer, an overactive bladder, and erectile issues.
“This can stem from prostate issues or an enlarged prostate, which increases with age as the prostate grows, causing increased frequency and urgency to urinate,” Luke explains.
Urologists refer prostatectomy patients to him before and after surgery to improve outcomes and strengthen their pelvic floor muscles.
He also treats pelvic pain and erectile dysfunction, experienced by one in five men aged over 40, and 50% aged over age 50, increasing 10% per decade.
“There’s more awareness around men’s health issues now, and I’m seeing a change in males talking to each other about it more, which is reflected in how I receive a referral,” Luke says.
Men aged over 50, or those younger with a family history, should have their prostate checked and PSA blood testing completed.
Men account for 75.9% of suicide deaths in Australia. From around age 50, testosterone affects mental health and neurobehavioral functions such as sexual arousal, aggression, emotional tone, and cognition. About 20% of men over the age of 60 have lower-than-normal levels.
Wesley LifeForce supports suicide prevention and wellbeing programs locally and nationwide and has reduced suicide rates by 17%.
Andy Moore, general manager of Wesley LifeForce, urges men to see a professional. “Suicide and poor mental health are related, but they don’t necessarily live in the same houses,” Andy says.
While some people with mental ill-health never see suicide as an option, others with no formal diagnosis can make impulsive decisions during mental health ‘episodes.’
Around 22% of NSW residents will experience an episode each year, which can be triggered by anything from a bout of illness to a significant moment, like sudden job loss.
Guy Leech is the ‘poster boy’ for longevity
“Men and women connect differently,” Andy says. “One of the first questions men ask each other is, ‘What do you do for work?’ Consciously or subconsciously, men have a pecking order, a hierarchy.”
Andy adds that men can feel shame when they cannot work because of a physical, emotional or mental health issues, or when they change jobs or retire.
“And when they haven’t got a narrative or story, they can feel (like they are at the) bottom of the pecking order.”
Andy is on the board of Lifeline Australia, and he runs Lifeline in Sydney and Sutherland. He compares mental health to a ball of string that gets wound so tightly it can’t move.
“Anyone who’s had the joy of trying to untangle Christmas lights in the garage with one set of eyes and hands understands that!
“But as soon as you get a second set of eyes and hands, it becomes more manageable. Life is like that, and some of us are prone to having more knots and need professional untanglers.”
Retired men in Australia are the third-highest suicide demographic, with social isolation, loss of purpose and lack of connection major risks.
Men’s Shed in Mosman helps these men to connect through practical projects, from fixing bicycles to building furniture, and mateship.
Recently separated men are eight times more likely to die by suicide than married men. Pete Nicholls from Parenting Beyond Breakup has lived experience of parental alienation.
“We focus on a common narrative, which is that they have ‘mental health issues,’ when, predominantly, they don’t,” Pete says.
“Men don’t take their life because they’re crazy, but because they’re pushed financially, culturally and systemically.
“They might have lost everything in one go, and now have an overwhelming tsunami of problems they can’t see their way through.”
The charity helps around 10,000 men yearly through peer-to-peer support groups and helplines, like Dad’s in Distress.
“It’s so effective because we realised blokes want to talk about their problems, but only in a place where they’re not judged – with other men going through the same thing.
“If you know someone is struggling, they won’t tell you how they feel – but if you change the question from ‘Are you okay?’ to ‘What’s going on?’ you’ll get a different answer.
“Men are judged for their strength and ability to deliver to society,” says Pete. “If you give them practical support, suddenly they’re happy again.”
Andy Moore, Wesley LifeForce
“One of the first questions men ask each other is ‘What do you do for work?’ Consciously or subconsciously, men have a pecking order, a heirarchy.”
Andy Moore, Wesley LifeForce
Mosman’s Mens Shed provides connection and purpose
Warning signs that men may be struggling with their mental health can include persistent irritability or anger, withdrawal from loved ones and changes in sleep and appetite. Loss of motivation, increased alcohol consumption and feelings of hopelessless can also signal a need to visit the GP, or to contact a support service like Lifeline or Beyond Blue.
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in men, and most don’t realise until it’s too late. But regular exercise can add five years to a person’s lifespan, and Collaroy’s longevity king, former Ironman Champion Guy Leech, exercises for at least an hour every day.
“Moving around is what the body is meant to do. I do 10,000 to 20,000 steps every day, and nine holes of golf twice a week gets me over 20,000.”
“If you spend endless hours sitting down, you seize up.”
Guy also does a mix of strength training, cardio workouts, and exercises to improve balance and coordination. He uses a reformer machine, lifts weights and enjoys activities like mountain biking, ocean paddling, golf and walking his dogs.
“I also do pilates and yoga – as you get older, that stretching and balance coordination declines, and you lose strength.
“I’m a bit of a unicorn with my training,” he says.
“Regular structured exercise, holding muscle, and social connection is key to a happy, healthy life.”
Local mental health support
Wesley LifeForce Mensline 1300 789 978
Lifeline 13 11 14
Parents Beyond Breakups 1300 853 437
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
000 if an emergency
Men’s mental health groups: