Men’s challenges need new focus
It’s international men’s health week and this year’s theme is all about “building healthy environments for men and boys”. Home, work and social environments play a huge role in male health, and the cultural environment that is shaped between men and boys does, too. Maintaining a connection to the natural world is also crucial, according to Chris, a father, business owner and nature-lover.
“Every human being needs access to nourishing, green spaces, and the wilder the better, especially for boys and men,” says Chris.
“Boys and men need to be able to challenge and test themselves, to let off steam and be in an environment where it’s OK to ‘be wild’ — to throw rocks, bang sticks, yell and scream with impunity.”
Whenever Chris has taken kids out tree planting, the boys are always quick to grab tree stakes and start whacking each other, the long grass and generally going a bit mad. But far from being a problem, the boys then move into a state of bliss and even the most unruly boy settles into the environment. The initial release allows for greater attention, focus and responsiveness.
Science will tell us that a heady cocktail of endorphins is what’s triggering this transformation. But you can’t always be out in a windswept paddock or native forest. So what can you do closer to home?
A logical thing boys and men can do is to make regular time to be together. Quality father-son time accelerates bonding — hiking, camping, fishing, playing sport, riding bikes, going for a swim, and surfing are all great activities.
Being outdoors is important for physical and mental health, and regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic illness and disease, and builds mental resilience, too.
“Many men struggle to show their emotions. They carry a fear of not being masculine enough, and that it’s a sign of weakness to show fear, shame, guilt, doubt and hopelessness,” says Chris.
This sadly bears out in the statistics, too. The median age of life expectancy is lower for men (78.9 years) than women (84.6 years). Three-quarters of men are overweight or obese. Drug and alcohol-induced deaths are significantly higher in men than women, and males make up 75 per cent of the road toll. Over three-quarters of people who take their own life are male.
Shockingly, it’s the second-leading cause of death for Indigenous males, compared to 10th for non-Indigenous males. The median age of death, of those who take their own life, in males is 43.6 years. However, the highest suicide rates are found in those aged 18-25.
“But the shackles are starting to come off for men. And we’re seeing promising advances. This younger generation is becoming much more comfortable with their feelings,” says Chris.
Men’s circles and groups are growing in popularity. The ManKind Project and Alcoholics Anonymous are perhaps the most well-known examples of men's groups. There’s real power in searching out a group that is not just about recreation and sport. While these are healthy, there is only so far you can go in talking to blokes in a footy club. An environment that offers a facilitated structure gives you the opportunity to share what’s really on your mind.
As a woman, it can be hard to understand the male perspective, needs and challenges. But the more I speak with men, the more I realise the wellbeing of males and boys requires more of a spotlight on the issues. Many are doing it tough and we have to do more to create culturally appropriate, male-friendly environments that support and nourish their health and wellbeing.
Lifeline 13 11 14 MensLine: 1300 789 978
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 18 June 2022.