New Focus On MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

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When it comes to Men’s Mental Health, Southern Cross University researchers are putting knowledge into practice, leading community programs to help people tackle the big issues.

Professor John Hurley is an internationally recognised expert in mental health nursing at Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus. He says the lack of mental health services in regional and rural settings is worsening the crisis.

Young men are particularly at risk, with suicide now the leading cause of death for men aged 15-44. While the statistics are heartbreaking, there is cause for hope.

Professor Hurley is leading a team of health professionals who’ve banded together to train and upskill non-mental health specialists to take on support roles.

“We’ve previously run a program for parents and carers of older kids on the cusp of adulthood about how to recognise and respond to young people’s mental health needs which was effective, so we’re trying it again now with parents, carers and teachers of a younger cohort,” Professor Hurley says.

He is calling for more participants to join The Lighthouse Program, which offers free online training for parents, carers and supporters of 10–13-year-olds with unmet mental health needs in rural, regional and remote settings.

“We are specifically asking more dads to sign up,” Professor Hurley says. “We’ve had lots of mums in the group previously, which is great, but there is a real need for dads and other male role models such as teachers and youth workers to take part and upskill to help young people, particularly young men, who may be struggling.

“This free program provides training with expert therapists, General Practitioners and psychologists to equip people with a greater understanding of what causes mental health problems, how to better respond, helpful strategies to manage an anxious child, reduce screen time, and cope with the emotional storms that are typical of that age.

“Every person has mental health needs – especially every young person. Think of all the changes a person goes through between the ages of 11 and 20. So having dads that are skilled and able to respond to the needs of their children can only benefit our community.”

So what are the contributing factors leading to poor mental health, specifically in men?

“There are greater addiction rates.  Men often have fewer social connections than women, and are less likely to be talking to people or seeking help – men can often try to manage the problem themselves. And the further you are from the city, services are fewer and the worse it gets.”

Professor Hurley says another barrier is the way services are structured which often doesn’t suit men who would prefer not to sit down in a room with another person to talk about their emotional experiences or problems.

“Many men prefer to do things together. That’s why things like men’s sheds are quite popular because men tend to like that shoulder-to-shoulder chat doing something.

“Australia is a bit behind when it comes to prescribing for mental health issues. If you go to your GP and say you’re depressed, you’re more than likely to get an antidepressant tablet, and that tablet’s going to increase your serotonin, your adrenaline and your neurochemicals by a certain amount.

“But physical exercise three times a week will give you 50 percent of that. Physical exercise is a huge part of mental health. I’ve been working in this field for over 50 years and there’s no distinction where mental health ends and physical health begins. My most common intervention that sees the best results? Something as simple as exercising three times a week. Often there’s a social aspect built in. And do it somewhere that’s naturally beautiful for an even greater benefit.”

“Southern Cross University is proud to have experts in the areas of mental health, nursing, psychology, counselling and social science, including Associate Professors Christian Swann, Eric Brymer and a PhD student I am co-supervising, Mark Henderson, who are partnering with leading organisations to bring research-backed strategies to people who need them most.”

The power of mentoring

For Southern Cross University PhD student Mark Henderson, researching man-to-man mentoring was an area he unexpectedly fell into.

“I had previously studied business and had worked as a facilitator in the corporate and human services area. When I had an unexpected change in my family circumstances, I found myself in need of support,” he says.

“I had it together financially and career-wise, but I wanted to become informed about how to be a great parent to teenage sons, so I went to the ‘Mentors for Men’ group in Coffs Harbour. These guys not only took me in but kind of had my back.

“We had genuine and insightful discussions, from community-mindedness to listening skills. When another nationally-minded not-for-profit, Mentoring Men, asked the fellas in Coffs Harbour for some direction around mentorship, I was asked to help out and deliver a course. I thought I’d come up with a training course in a couple of weeks, but the more I dug, the more I found. Four months later, having compiled the good bits from my training days, drawing on superstar academics like Brene Brown and Martin Seligman, respectfully including First Nations yarning practices, and being guided by men a generation or two older than me – we had a half decent workshop to share. It went well.

“However, things were going on for these new volunteer mentors that I didn’t quite understand. I went online, I went to the library – no answers. So, I rocked up to Southern Cross Uni requesting to speak to a Professor to gain some insight – not with academia in my sights. Before I knew what was involved, I had signed up for a Masters in research with a top-notch team around me. Two professors, Mark Hughes and John Hurley recognised the potential of male mentoring in helping people, and Dr Gregory Smith OAM, through his journey from a hermit to an academic probably knows more about loneliness and life journeys than any man alive. We make a good team, as two papers were published in a top international journal, surprising everyone. It’s now part of my PhD research.

“This research unpacks what goes on for voluntary mentors. Ordinary blokes that connect, and who offer care and support to other adult men in life’s journey. It’s based on deep listening, rather than offering advice. It’s a kind of friendship that respects the mentee’s choices.  Usually, mentors are a bit older – who are like ‘I’ve got your back’. Research shows that as men age, they either become generative – where they’re engaged, curious, helpful and life is meaningful for them – or they become stagnant. Mentors are generative.

“A sense of belonging is crucial to people’s wellbeing. Social connection, which occurs in adult mentoring, is important for men. Australian men, on the whole, are a friendly bunch with a diverse set of talents. Once we meet, we can usually relate and communicate, even just to be grateful for being here. While some men may not be so great at the connection thing or might be in a tough place now, mentoring has this ability to get around that, and it’s good for you.”

The great outdoors

Southern Cross University psychological science Associate Professor Eric Brymer says while research is showing nature-based and adventure-based strategies can be highly effective in supporting mental health, Australia lags behind countries such as the UK and Canada when it comes to public policy and uniform reporting of outcomes.

“There are a lot of very effective men’s wellbeing programs in Australia that use outdoor nature-based, adventurous activities to support mental health, whether that be camping, hiking, woodworking, and the research shows it works, but it’s amazing how many people in our mental health sector have not realised that activities can and should be used to support mental health and wellbeing for people,” Professor Brymer says.

“As researchers, we are working towards creating a framework so programs can be meaningfully evaluated and research-based, and inform federal policy.

“Mental health and wellbeing are no longer considered to be just inside the head, it’s an embodied process incorporating physical activity, and in the relationships we have with other people and with the natural world around us.”

“We want this to be as accessible as possible to people through the great work of organisations such as Movember, AMHF and The Fly Program that are specifically for men, and Back to Nature, The Veteran Surf Project in NSW and the Association of Veteran Surfers (AVS) co-founded by Southern Cross University graduate and 2022 Alumnus of the Year winner Matthew Hoare.”

Associate Professor Brymer is also a member of the Manna Institute, alongside Southern Cross University’s Associate Professor in Psychology Christian Swann, to build the capacity of mental health researchers in rural, regional and remote communities.

This work dovetails into Associate Professor Swann’s award-winning partnership with Movember to research the promotion of mental health through community sports clubs, through their flagship program ‘Ahead of the Game’.

“While a lot of research has targeted elite athletes, who make up only 1-2% of the sporting population, I am particularly inspired to try to improve the mental health of the other 98-99% of sports participants,” says Associate Professor Swann who is part of a team that is currently developing mental health guidelines for sports clubs across Australia.

When it comes to identifying red flags specifically for men, Professor John Hurley says there are mental health markers to look out for.

“If you notice someone cutting off their social ties and connections or they stop doing things they usually enjoy doing, if they’re using substances more often, engaging in risky behaviours, becoming angrier, then it’s about checking in with them, asking them if they’re okay, or if you know someone close to them you could have a quiet word with them to say you’ve noticed they aren’t their usual self.

“If the matter is an emergency, then don’t hesitate to call 000 or take the person to a healthcare facility. If it is more subtle you can be a listening ear, and could gently encourage ways to take greater self-care, including seeking help and talking about it, spending time with trusted friends, exercising and getting out in nature – inviting them to do something together.”

To sign up for The Lighthouse Program with Professor John Hurley, please email [email protected]