#4 Mental health of men - a communications failure

Have you ever wondered why in Australia, the lucky country, that men aged between 15-44 years old are choosing to take their own lives at a rate more than double anything else? Would you like to know why this issue is barely discussed? Today on Hear For Each Other, we are speaking with Mr John Fitzgibbon, and as General Manager for two major radio stations, he is a bonafide specialist in communications. John is also the independent chair of federally-funded Headspace - the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, who provide early intervention mental health services for young people between 12 and 25 years old. 

John makes no bones about his frustration with the lack of outrage regarding basic mental health metrics - in particular the male suicide rate which is more than double the road toll. We of course talk about Aussie male culture, the mental health of men and associated behavioural trends, and through this lens we discuss some of the major obstacles to better health and wellbeing as faced by the City of Ballarat and similar regional areas, as well as those faced by John himself throughout his own mental health journey.

John is a very well-known and admired local of Ballarat, and it was a real privilege to speak with someone so keen to support their local community.

Thank you for tuning in, and I hope that you enjoy the show.

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Links from the show:

• Head to Help: 1800 595 212
• Ballarat Community Health: (03) 5338 4500
• Puka Up: https://pukaup.com/
• Arms and Armour: Call Headspace on (03) 5304 4777

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If you enjoy this interview, we’d be stoked if you gave it a rating or review where you listened to it!  : ) 

xx Dave P

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