Enter St John of God Health Care’s Healthy Men, Healthy Minds photo competition and help raise awareness of men’s emotional wellbeing during Men’s Health Week.
Readers of The eRecord are being encouraged to take a snap of the special moments between children and a significant man in their lives to help promote men’s emotional wellbeing this Men’s Health Week and have a chance to win a GoPro HERO5.
The St John of God Health Care Healthy Men, Healthy Minds photo competition asks mums, dads and families to submit photos to raise awareness of perinatal mental health.
St John of God Raphael Services National Director Helen McAllister, said up to one in 10 men experienced anxiety or depression when they welcomed a new baby or when their partner was pregnant.
“Men are twice as likely to experience perinatal mental illness if their partner is suffering, but they may also experience it even when their partner is going okay,” she said.
“Men don’t access the same support services as women do during pregnancy so there is less opportunity for men to speak about their concerns or seek further help and we suspect that the real number of men who experience perinatal anxiety or depression is much higher.”
Ms McAllister, who leads the specialist service which provides support for mums, dads and families experiencing mental health issues during pregnancy and following childbirth, said it was important for men to know having emotional wellbeing concerns during this time was not uncommon and help was available.
“It’s important that men and women are aware of the symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression so they can recognise them in themselves and their partner, friends and family members and encourage them to seek help,” Helen said.
“We hope that through the Healthy Men, Healthy Minds competition we can promote positive images of men’s mental health while raising awareness of help available through St John of God Raphael Services and other support services.”
To enter the Healthy Men, Healthy Minds photo competition go to the St John of God Health Care Facebook page during Men’s Health Week (12 June to 18 June) and submit a photo which captures a special moment between children and a significant man in their lives.
A public vote will choose 10 finalists and a panel of judges will select an overall winner who will receive a GoPro HERO5 and two runners up who will each receive a $50 Myer voucher.
For more information go to www.sjog.org.au/healthymen
Fact box
Signs and symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression:
- Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
- Trouble relaxing and falling asleep
- Anger and irritability
- Withdrawal from relationships
- Loss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable
- Changes in appetite
- Engaging in risk taking behaviours
- Increased use of drugs and alcohol.
Source: St John of God Raphael Services
What to do if you are concerned about your emotional health:
Men or women who are experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression are encouraged to make an appointment with their GP who can connect them to treatment and support through providers such as St John of God Raphael Services.