Men’s Mental Health Month provides a time of reflection and education, especially in the farming industry, where the stigma of mental health is still strong.
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June has seen an influx of blue — on ribbons, on shirts, on social media campaigns — all in the name of Men’s Mental Health Month.
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The month acts as a time of education on an issue which can often be overlooked, especially in rural and regional areas.
District farmer Scott James said it was the culture of the farming industry that could have a notable impact on the rural perception of men’s mental health.
“The stigma, for farmers, is that they have to take it all on their shoulders themselves,” he said.
“Especially for males. The male thing is that if they’re on the farm, born and bred on the farm ... they might be in a small community where, you know, they don’t see their neighbours that frequently.
“Some farmers also just go from day-to-day, they don’t have a weekend. There is no Monday to Friday.”
Local farmer Scott James said it took a willingness to aid your friends, family and neighbours with their mental health.
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At the beginning of June, State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland attended a mental health support event at the Euroa cattle sale and spoke on the pressing need for expanded mental health support in the farming community.
“Our farmers are resilient, but they are not invincible,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We cannot expect a chat over a cuppa to carry someone through another season of dust and debt.
“What we need now is not more platitudes, but policy.”
Mr James said what was often needed was the willingness to start a conversation which would more than likely require your full attention.
“From my point of view, and I’m not an expert on it, but I’ve been around in leadership roles within the CFA and stuff — it’s just about picking the right moments, and sometimes it’s hard to tell. Sometimes it’s not that easy to have a talk to someone, sometimes people don’t really want to let that information go,” Mr James said.
“The main thing to do would be to just actually stop and have a talk and see how your neighbours are going, how their family’s going, and if you haven’t heard from someone in a while, make contact with them and say, ‘how are you going?’
“But, be prepared that it’s not going to be a five-second conversation, it will be an in-depth conversation ... you must be prepared to sit there for a while and actually listen.”
Arguably, one of the largest impacts on men’s mental health is loneliness.
Steve Joblin of the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group said mateship was one of the most important tools to aid mental health.
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Steve Joblin, who runs support groups with the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group, said a simple four-letter word was a vital source of support for those facing struggles with their mental health.
“You have to have a mate,” he said.
“If you’re isolated, you need to have a mate, a friend, a sister, or someone in your family who says, ‘come on, let’s do this’. And then, you’ve got to take the jump.”
Mr Joblin also said people had to have an awareness of their own internal processes and it was far from weak to speak about your feelings.
“I also think ignoring your personal feelings is a weakness because your feelings aren’t weak,” Mr Joblin said.
“That’s where your strength is, that’s where you get your strength.
“If you’re feeling angry, sad, or if something else is upsetting you, don’t ignore it. Listen to it because it’s there to teach you about who you are.”
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