|
Globally, we lose a man to suicide every minute of every day. Men are dying too young. It’s a problem affecting our fathers, partners, brothers, sons and mates, yet it’s rarely talked about. A problem this size calls for big, bold, clever solutions. And there’s one sitting right under our noses. Yes, it is the mighty moustache. This month, Schlam took to the challenge of spreading awareness of men’s health by getting involved in Movember. For 30 hairy days and nights, a handful of brave men from the team became living and breathing billboards. In addition to supporting our mo growers, Schlam hosted a family Trivia Night to raise much-needed funds for Movember. The fun-filled affair was enjoyed by all, with our most successful team of brainiacs Team “Fossil-Free” (a tongue-in-cheek ode to the tenure of the team) from the Payload division taking out the inaugural bragging rights of winners on the evening. This event wouldn't have been possible without the support of our many sponsors who contributed to our silent auction and raffle - Bull Motor Bodies, Life Martial Arts, Legends Academy Perth, Fleet Complete Australia, COLLAR RECRUITMENT, Sandalford Wines, Mandoon Estate, CT Connections, Perdaman Global Services, CONTX Media, RSEA Safety, and Hamptons Shutters As a result of our combined efforts, Schlam's fundraising tally for the month has reached $2,810. That’s one hairy accomplishment if you ask us! All moustache puns aside, men’s mental health is a serious issue. The rate of male suicide is alarmingly high: 3 out of 4 suicides in Australia are by men. In an industry that is predominantly male, and that is the most at-risk age of suicide, mining employs one of the most vulnerable groups of men most susceptible to poor mental health. In fact, the evidence is clear, more than half of all deaths by suicide (52%) in 2020 occurred in people aged 30–59. The nature of FIFO work appears to lend itself to unhealthy lifestyle choices and coping strategies. Large periods of time away from loved ones, arduous shift work and remote environments all impact the mental wellness of an individual. Life can throw us curveballs. Yet even when things seem tough, there’s a lot we can do to look after ourselves and others. In fact, there are lots of tailored programs both online, over the phone and in person that can support you or a loved one through some of life’s challenging moments. Check out some of Movember’s recommended support services -https://au.movember.com/mens-health/get-support One of the biggest misconceptions is the lag time between being unwell to seeking professional help. Realistically, how can you actually access professional support services when you are stuck at a remote site? Surprisingly, online tools such as MindSpot can help. MindSpot provides free digital mental health services to adults across Australia. This means that they provide all their services online or via telephone 24/7. These services include confidential psychological assessments and clinically-proven treatments. One thing is for certain, we need to get better at knowing the signs sooner. We need to get better at asking for help when we need it and we need to recongise when one of our mates isn’t doing so well.
Together we can change the face of men’s health.
To speak with someone immediately, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you're ever worried that someone's life is in immediate danger, call 000 or go directly to emergency services. |
