With Father’s Day this weekend, many of us are taking a moment to show Dad we care and thank him for all he’s done.
Men’s health doesn’t get much spotlight and Dads don’t often see their doctor. But did you know that 1 in 5 men experience anxiety, and 1 in 8 men experience depression? Tragically 9 Australians die by suicide every day, and 7 of these are men. The cause is probably a mixture of genetics and life circumstances. Any man experiencing anxiety or depression should know he is not alone, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. You don’t have to suffer alone – depression and anxiety can be treated with medical professionals to help improve your quality of life.
So what can we do to help?
This Father’s Day, check in with how your Dad is going. You can give him these tips:
- Make sure he has someone regular to talk to
- Maintain regular exercise (which is as good as an antidepressant in mild depression!)
- Maintain good sleep habits
- Maintain good diet
- Avoid harmful levels of alcohol use and avoid any level of drug use
- Recognise the signs: low mood, lost interest, weight changes, fatigue, poor sleep can all be signs of depression
- Recognise the signs: excessive fear, panic attacks, heart racing can all be signs of anxiety
- If you see the signs, it’s time to check in with your GP. We are happy to help
- If you are in an emergency, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000
Thank you Dads, for all you do!