Life in Mind special edition eNews, June 2023

Special edition eNews, June 2023

Men’s Health Month, including Men’s Health Week in June is recognised internationally as a time to discuss issues relating to men’s health and explore prevention efforts across a range of areas, including men’s mental health and suicide prevention.

In Australia, men are disproportionately represented in suicide statistics. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Causes of Death data for 2021 states that there were 2,358 males who died by suicide, with an age-standardised rate of 18.2 per 100,000. Read more data on male suicides on the Life in Mind portal.

This edition of the Life in Mind eNews includes perspectives from a number of individuals and organisations about the types of approaches to suicide prevention that currently exist for males living in Australia, and suggestions of new approaches.

If you would like to share your mental health or suicide prevention news, current initiatives or published research, please email lifeinmind@health.nsw.gov.au

Sector news

The latest news and initiatives in the mental health and suicide prevention sector

World-first video series aims to break down misconceptions men have about therapy

Men’s health charity, Movember hopes to encourage more men to consider therapy with the launch of a five-part video series titled What is Therapy? which aims to break down common stereotypes about therapy and demystify the treatment process for men.

New campaign shares lived experience stories to encourage men to seek support

The I found support that worked campaign by Suicide Prevention Australia, in partnership with Australian Men’s Health Forum, inspires men who might be struggling to reach out for support.

Two males’ different perspectives on the importance of male suicide prevention

Glenn Cotter and Gabriel Spira are two men working within the suicide prevention space, both with very different roles and experiences, but they have a common purpose to support the advancement of male suicide prevention approaches in Australia.

Approaches to healthy psycho-social habits in men

The Men’s Table hosted a webinar event during Men’s Health Week to discuss the year’s theme of ‘Healthy Habits’. The webinar included a discussion with four men about what healthy psycho-social habits look like and how they enable men to feel more whole and complete, open and connected.

Podcast discusses the power of peer support for separated fathers

As part of Men's Health Week, Parents Beyond Breakup released episode 2 of the Dads Alive podcast discussing the structural challenges separated dads face, and the ongoing impacts for dads over their life.

Translated research studies

A translation of suicide prevention research on the Life in Mind portal

Suicide in the Australian Mining Industry: Assessment of Rates among Male Workers Using 19 Years of Coronial Data

Evidence shows that mining workers are at a greater risk of suicide than other sectors, however more research is required to determine the best approach to suicide prevention for mining workers in Australia.

Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry

Challenges specific to working in the Australian construction industry may drive suicidal thoughts and distress. Industry changes and focused suicide prevention strategies could address industry-specific and personal challenges.