18 June 2020
A boy born in Australia in 2010 has a life expectancy of 78.0 years while a baby girl born at the same time could expect to live to 82.3 years old. Right from the start, boys suffer more illness, more accidents and die earlier than their female counterparts.
Men take their own lives at four times the rate of women (that's five men a day, on average). Accidents, cancer and heart disease all account for the majority of male deaths.
Such are the stats on the Men’s Health Week website, in the midst of the annual Men’s Health Week, which this year runs June 15 to June 21.
Established in the United States by Congress in 1994 to heighten awareness of preventable male health problems, Men’s Health Week is now observed annually and globally as a way of encouraging dialogue and action on male health issues; emotional, psychological, social and physical.
“Recognising and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue,’’ said Congressman Bill Richardson.
Events run during the week this year include live Facebook and Zoom webinars featuring medical experts fielding questions from men on matters both mental and physical.
Dr Neil Hall, director of Western Sydney University’s Men’s Health Information and Resource Centre (MHIRC), said many men were experiencing heightened stress due to isolation and unemployment triggered by COVID-19 and needed support now more than ever to ensure good mental health and wellbeing.
“This Men’s Health Week we are asking people to check in with the men in their lives – pick up the phone, send a text or get together online – to start an important conversation, and to share vital support and health information,” Dr Hall was quoted by the ANMJ.
In SA a ‘Resilience Workshop’ this Sunday will help males develop skills and knowledge in how to become more resilient and how to strengthen resilience skills.
The workshop aims to empower participants with skills to help with life’s changes and challenges: stress, fatigue, relationships or work difficulties.
You can get your tickets from Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/109438804410
For men’s health information and support resources and further details on Men’s Health Week visit
www.menshealthweek.org.au
For Healthy Male webinar topics and times visit
www.healthymale.org.au/mens-health-week
For 24/7 crisis support call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.