28 Apr, 2022
Here at Aquatap, we make a conscious effort to break the taboo surrounding mental health. Sadly, more than five men die prematurely each hour in Australia due to potentially preventable circumstances. Mental health and depression have proven to be some of the biggest causes of this, with men three times more likely to commit suicide than women, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Seeing that our employees spend a majority of their time at work, it only makes sense to try to build and foster an environment that supports and encourages them to reach out when times are tough. Whether you’re a leader or team member, there are tangible actions you can take to help nurture this culture as well as to look after your own mental health. In a 2019 Movember study, 58% of men reported that they think ‘society expects them to be emotionally strong and not show weakness in front of others’. As a trade Industry, with a majority of our workers being male, we want to fight this belief and prove that being open and talking about your problems is one of the healthiest things you can do. Here at Aquatap, we work closely with New View Psychology in providing an Employee Assistance Program to further support employees as they see fit. It’s a completely anonymous and free way to talk some things through with a professional. We want to encourage everyone to take time to focus on their mental health and wellbeing, especially those who feel unable to speak out due to gender stereotypes. If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to speak to a professional. Realising you need help is the first step! Check out these great resources below: Head to Health – a guide to digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations MensLine Australia (online counselling and forum for men) – call 1300 78 99 78 Dads In Distress (peer support for separated dads) – 1300 853 437 SANE Australia (people living with a mental illness) – call 1800 18 7263 or chat online