If you are a man, have a brother, an uncle or any man in your life, this information is for you.

1. If you are a man, have a brother, an uncle or any man in your life, this information is for you. Men’s Mental Health SITE LOGO Men’s Mental Health - date

2. Statistics SITE LOGO • Canadian Mental Health Association calls Men’s Mental Illness “A Silent Crisis” • University of Toronto estimates 4.8 million Canadian men have depression each year • Women twice as likely as men to seek help (doctor, psychiatrist, EAP) for mental health issues • 1 in 9 adult men is dependent on alcohol • 3 times more likely than women • Suicide ranked # 7 cause of death for men (ranked 12 in women) • Suicide second most common cause of death in young adults age 15-35 • Suicide 3 to 4 times higher amongst men than women • Stats Canada estimates 14.4 BILLION dollars spent each year on mental health care (men, women, children) Men’s Mental Health - date

3. More than the blues, unhappiness or temporary grief - Depression SITE LOGO • Depression is a sad, despairing mood that: • Is present most days and lasts most of the day • Lasts for more than 2 weeks • Impairs a person’s performance at work, school or in social relationships • Symptoms • Changes in appetite and weight, sleep problems • Loss of interest in work, hobbies, people, sex • Withdrawal from family and friends • Feeling useless, hopeless, excessively guilty, pessimistic or low self esteem • Agitation or feeling slowed down • Fatigue, irritability • Trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions • Crying easily, or feeling like crying but can’t • In extreme cases, hallucinations or delusions Men’s Mental Health - date

4. Depression (con’t) SITE LOGO • Thoughts of suicide must always be taken seriously • Especially if they have a plan of how they will do it • More men complete suicide even though more women attempt it • Depression Symptoms of highest rate in men • Irritability, anger, discouragement, physical symptoms (back pain, headache etc.) • this makes it more difficult to recognize depression in men • Causes • Imbalances in brain chemistry • Genetic predisposition or family history of depression • Psychological or emotional vulnerability (sometimes personality) • Endocrine/Immune system disorders • Major stress in person’s life ( i.e. loss of job, heart attack) Men’s Mental Health - date

5. Depression (con’t) SITE LOGO • Other Types of Depression • Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) • Usually affected by weather and time of year • Postpartum Depression • Occurs in 13-15% of women after child birth and up to 10% of men in first year of child’s life • In women: hormonal imbalances, fatigue, changes in self image, etc. • In men: fatigue and changes in relationships and responsibility • Dysthymia • Chronic low mood with moderate symptoms of depression • Treatment Modalities • Education, Psychotherapy (individual, support groups, etc) • Medication, Electroconvulsive therapy Men’s Mental Health - date

6. Don is a 41 year old self employed welder… SITE LOGO • Happily married x 18 years • Coaches son’s hockey team, curls in men’s league • Friends describe him as outgoing and giving • 13 months ago injured back • Off work • Cannot coach or curl • Needs physical assistance • Attempts to resume welding- fail • Increasingly irritable & angry • Increased alcohol consumption • Intimacy disappeared from marriage • Visited doctor but NEVER mentioned feelings of isolation, frustration, etc. • Left a note for his wife explaining that he felt like a burden, useless and hopeless • Took his own life with a gun Men’s Mental Health - date

7. Why did Don resortto suicide? SITE LOGO • No one will ever know for sure, but……… • Possible contributing factors • Back pain was his ONLY complaint • If doctor asked about Don’s mental health, Don did not reveal anything • Men are often reluctant to discuss “feelings” and psychological concerns • Traditional view of man as “breadwinner” could not be met • Research suggests that 1 in 7 men who are unable to work develop depressive illness • Lack of knowledge of support systems in his community/workplace Men’s Mental Health - date

8. How can we help a future “Don” make a different choice??? SITE LOGO • Do our part to decrease the STIGMA of mental health issues in our society • -help men understand that asking for help is a sign of strength NOT weakness • -take all threats of suicide seriously – get them to hospital, call police-whatever it takes • -address high absence rates and performance issues at work • -could be sign of physical or mental health issues, addiction, etc. • -advocate for all-male group therapy in our community • -safe place to express intense, vulnerable emotions • -let someone know you care • -give them a call or send flowers just like you would if they had an accident or physical illness • What can men do? • -ask for help….until you get it!!!! • -get enough sleep • -eat healthy foods • -exercise Men’s Mental Health - date

9. References SITE LOGO • www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information • www.camh.net/news_events/key_camh_facts_for_media/addictionmentalhealth • statistics • www.cdc.gov/print.do?url=http%3A//www.cdc.gov/men/lcod/index.htm • www.cmha.ca/bins/print_page.asp?cid=3-726&lang=1 • http://men.webmd.com/features/mens-top-5-helath-concernns?print=ture • www.mind.org.uk/help/people_groups_andcommmunities/mens_mental_health • Hipple, H, etal; Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback’s Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss, Quality of Life Pulishing Company, Naples, Florida, 2008 • Ogrodniczuk, J, Oliffe, J; The Strong Silent Type: Is masculinity bad for men’s mental health?,Cross Currents, Summer 2010 pp 8-19 • www.ontario.cmha.ca/fact_sheets.asp?cID=3956&Viewmode=print • www.womenshealth.gov/mens-health/mental-health-for-men • www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/101130/dq101130/-eng.htm Men’s Mental Health - date