I think you're correct, Belly. There's little hope of men fulfilling their primordial role of protector/provider in today's society, so they feel useless. Another cause is the group of gays who're just sick of hiding for fear of exposure and ridicule - many more men than people realise are family men with children. Their secret lives become a burden too great to bear. As for youths, the reason half of all youth suicides are gays is obvious - religious bigotry, taunting and bullying from teachers, pupils and parents

This is obviously a very personal issue for many men.

SOG
Yes a media campaign will not necessarily lead to men seeking help.

I hope some do but I tend to think these health campaigns are about governments trying to do something about very real problems and having to display their work. I believe Man Therapy is a joint government and Beyond Blue project. That is probably cynical but I should add, on a more positive note, that these types of campaigns over the years have raised the profile of mental health issues. That in itself may lead more people to even just talk about their problems to family or friends. I listened to a talk given by Jeff Kennett about four years ago and Beyond Blue has done a great job in raising the profile of depression.

As a woman I don't purport to know what men think or feel but I agree with some of the comments that there is a patronising or generalising tone inherent in some of the material as summarised in Houlley's comments.

runner
I don't disagree with you at all about the spiritual aspects and many people of faith will be able to talk to their priest or pastor about personal issues. And many will find comfort in their beliefs which may help them live with mental health issues more easily.

individual
Less government interference in some areas is probably warranted but I do think in a social democratic system the benefits of available health services is a good one. Any of us may find ourselves in need of help one day. Whether this extends to government advertising on these issues is another matter. My hope is that as individuals if we notice somebody's distress or problems that we would try and help them. Depression does not always show itself so obviously.

RObert
Understanding cause is the most important aspect of tackling any problem otherwise it is just fumbling around. Marriage breakdown and all the accompanying legal processes would be a leading cause of depression. I can imagine the fear of being separated from one's children would be a primary factor. At least these days there is more custodial sharing but I imagine there is still some way to go and room for improvement. I feel inadequate to talk about family law because I have never gone through the process and my knowledge is gleaned more from reading and speaking to a variety of groups and individuals. I hope you have found some peace and relief since your own experiences.

Houlley
I always like your reliable no-nonsense approach. When I first watched the Ads it came as a bit of a jolt - it was as if it was an obvious attempt at reverse psychology. I reckon if you are going to put forward a men's based campaign it should be men involved in the planning. Who better to understand even if one accepts the fact that men will also come at a problem based on their own experiences. I get the impression that this was a campaign developed by men for men. I am not sure why, maybe it was purely on the basis that Jeff Kennett spoke on it.

The main point you make is as I read it - is it possible for any campaign to reach it's audience. RObert's point about looking first to causes would go much further in reducing suicide rates. Here one would have to differentiate between chemical causes and event based causes. A big job no doubt and would take in issues too insurmountable about social and family structures, economics and social norms etc. Bandaid approaches must seem easier for governments

Suse
You are right about the lack of profile of mental health issues until more recently. Really mental health issues are all physical issues ie. of the body. I hope your family is getting the support it needs. It is important to look to your own health as well during this time but you already know that. :)

Arjay
One way I found that helps me is to live outside the system as much as possible. Even if you have to work within it there is a way of compartmentalising which helps. I don't have clinical depression but have experienced depression for a short time that was triggered by events and gets carried along with you for a while. For me I found contentment in simple things like developing a huge food forest in the backyard and getting involved in activism in a subject I feel strongly about. I am fine now with only fleeting moments of anger more than depression. But they are fleeting.

Belly and ybgirp
There may be something in what you say about the changing role of men and women in society and how men have adapted to those changes. Particularly older men who find themselves at odds with these changes, so different to their upbringing. We are all products of our generation. And there are all those questions about what it means to be masculine or feminine and we all may have differing views about that. Speaking to my male friends there are no two opinions the same.

Belly, I don't think it is fair to always bring up the notion that all woman are bad and nagging wives as though this is the norm. For me, this one-sided approach is unfair and as bad as the radical feminist dogma (rare that it is) that sees men as evil doers. Both these approaches are self-serving and achieve nothing IMO.

Belly I just re-read your post and you did make the caveat about your personal experiences and women. Apologies if I generalised your feelings.

Dear Pelican,

Thank You for this thread.

The campaign is an excellent one and should
be strongly supported. As we've learned
from the past gender-linked personality
traits each had their own advantages and
disadvantages. Women, for example did not
have to worry about constant competition in the
"rat race." Their role used to be to marry a man
who was willing and able to support them.

Men on the other hand had relatively greater access
to wealth, power, and prestige. They earned more
money, controlled more of their environment and
experienced a range of career and other opportunities
that were beyond the reach of most women.

However, as we're beginning to learn the tremendous
stress asssociated with a life of competition,
repressed feelings and fear of failure does take its
toll. The statistics tell the story.

Compared to women, men have a higher suicide rate, a
higher rate for severe mental disorders, and a much
higher rate for alcoholism. According to recent surveys,
men commit over 80 percent of all serious crimes, and
constitute over 90 percent of prison inmates.

They are likely to suffer stress-related diseases such
as ulcers, hypertension, and asthma.

The bleakest statistic is life expectancy: the average
male dies seven years sooner than the average
female. It is hard to believe that this catalogue of woes
applies to the group that in the past at least was
supposed to be in the upper stratum in society.

They need and deserve our support.