In the wake of recent tragic events involving West Coast Eagles players Adam Hunter and Troy Selwood, the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention in Australia has intensified. Adrian Munro from Richmond Wellbeing chatted to Doug during Table Talk, offering valuable insights on taking control of your life and addressing the critical issue of men’s mental health.
The Urgent Need for Change
With 75% of all suicide deaths in Australia being men, and men being half as likely as women to seek medical help, it’s clear that a different approach is needed. Munro emphasizes that while raising awareness is important, it’s not enough. “If we want to get a different outcome, we need to do something different,” he says.
Prioritizing Men’s Mental Health
Munro calls for state and federal governments to prioritize men as a key cohort in suicide prevention planning. He notes that the current messaging around mental health isn’t resonating with men, and the health system needs to adapt to make men feel safe and comfortable accessing mental health resources.
Taking Action Beyond Awareness
While services like Lifeline (13 11 14) are available, Munro stresses the importance of taking that first step to talk to someone – be it a GP, friend, or family member. “Often when people talk to one person about it, they realize that there’s someone out there to help them through it,” he explains.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
As we enter a new year, many of us are looking to make changes in our lives. Munro offers practical advice for making resolutions stick:
- Set up good habits
- Be organized
- Take small steps towards big goals
“It’s really simple things,” Munro says. He gives an example of meal prepping and ironing on Sundays to make the week easier. “You have to be determined, but setting up good habits and being organized is actually the starting point of changing things.”
Overcoming Mental Barriers
One of Munro’s insights on taking control of your life is to address the common struggle of setting and believing in big goals. He recalls a quote from Mary Poppins: “Anything can happen if you let it.” He encourages people to challenge their self-limiting beliefs, even if just for a week, and ask themselves, “What if I actually could do it?”
Looking to the Future
Munro prompts us to consider where our current actions will lead us in ten years. He also suggests reflecting on what we wish we had done ten years ago, reminding us that it’s often not too late to start.
“You can start today,” Munro concludes, whether it’s related to school, work, or finances. “You gotta dream big and take small steps, and anything can be.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.