Mental health is a serious issue that affects millions of Australians. In fact, more than 45% of Australians have at some point in their life experienced mental illness. However, despite this high number, 65% of people struggling with mental health don’t take serious steps to address it, such as seeing a professional or being open about their mental health.

These statistics are especially concerning for men, who are less likely than women to actively seek out help for their mental health issues, despite the fact that the rates of mental health disorders between men and women are about the same. One of the reasons for this is the low Medicare-subsidized accounts for mental health services in Australia, which means that many men are not getting the help they need.

The consequences of this lack of help are dire. Men are far more likely than women to die from destructive coping mechanisms like suicide, drugs, and alcohol. Shockingly, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, and nearly twice as likely to die because of drug use. Additionally, male death by alcohol-related causes is almost twice as high as that of women.

One of the underlying causes of these troubling statistics is the way in which men deal with their stresses and worries. Many men are reluctant to talk or see someone about their concerns, feeling that it is somehow a sign of weakness, that their worries are not serious enough, or that they will be judged by their family and friends.

However, it’s time for a change. The old traditional beliefs of men not being able to express emotion need to be a thing of the past. We need to work together to make changes, to let men know that speaking up is okay. Supportive wives, mothers, and fathers alike need to adapt to this change. Suppressing one’s problems for the sake of being judged in the community can cause great grief later on.

The mental health profession needs to look beyond traditional ways of delivering support. New and innovative ways of providing help need to be implemented, ways in which men can get the help and support they need without judgment from others or self-guilt. The health of our country depends on it.

It’s time to take men’s mental health seriously. It’s time to make a change. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please seek help. You are not alone, and there is help available.