TO mark Men’s Mental Health Month, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is urging men across Australia to take an important step for their wellbeing – building a relationship with a trusted GP.
According to RACGP, too many men are falling through the cracks when it comes to both physical and mental healthcare.
While 78 per cent of Australian men saw a GP at least once in the past year, that figure lags behind the 87 per cent of women who accessed general practice services.
Younger men are especially disengaged, with those aged 25-34 seeing their GP just 1.9 times per year on average, compared to 3.5 visits for women in the same age bracket.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said this gap in care had serious consequences.
“There is no substitute for the care you receive from a GP who knows you and your history,” he said.
“A GP can screen for issues before they become serious, support your mental health, and work with you on preventive health strategies that can help avoid chronic disease later in life.”
Dr Wright stressed that the health outcomes for men who maintain regular contact with a GP are significantly better.
“Seeing the same GP regularly leads to a longer, healthier life because they can work with you to tackle those risk factors,” he said.
During Men’s Mental Health Month, advocates are shining a light on the mental health challenges many men face in silence. One in five Australian men has experienced a mental health disorder in the past 12 months, with that figure soaring to 31 per cent for young men aged 18-24.
“While we’ve gotten better at talking about mental health, some men still associate seeking help with weakness – a loss of control – and that’s tied to outdated ideas of stoicism,” Dr Wright said. “Too often, we don’t notice mental health issues until they’re already having serious effects on our wellbeing.”
Men’s Mental Health Month serves as a timely reminder that mental and physical health are closely linked.
“Younger men are more likely to take risks with their health, and less likely to ask for help,” said Dr Wright.
“That’s one of the core issues we’re trying to address with this campaign.”
Having a regular GP isabout building a foundation for a longer, healthier life.
