Enter St John of God Raphael Services Healthy Men, Healthy Minds photo competition and help raise awareness of men’s emotional wellbeing this Men’s Health Week.
Take a snap of the special moments between children and a significant male in their lives to help promote men’s emotional wellbeing and perinatal mental health.
The competition will give one lucky entrant the opportunity to win a DJI Spark mini drone and two runner-ups a $50 Coles Group and Myer voucher.
Raphael Services supports dads, mums and families with the emotional challenges of parenthood by providing no-cost counselling and therapy.
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 OK,” 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 said it’s important that men and women are aware of the symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression so they can recognise them in themselves, their partner, friends and family members, and encourage them to seek help.
“Through Healthy Men, Healthy Minds, we want to let dads and other male role models know that it’s okay to ask for help if they’re struggling with the emotional challenges of parenting.
Accessing the right support early can help parents get their family life off to the best start possible.”
A public vote will choose 10 finalists and a panel of judges will select the winners which will be announced on 28 June on the St John of God Health Care website and Facebook page.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit www.sjog.org.au/healthymen. Terms and conditions apply.
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.
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.