Men’s Health Week June 14-20


by Gina DeMent, Public Information Officer
Five County Mental Health Authority

The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

The best thing that men can do in 2010 about their health is to be proactive. By taking preventative actions listed below, you can help reduce the danger of major health risks including depression, Type II diabetes and even prostate cancer.

1. Visit your General Practitioner (GP) and know your family history

One of the easiest and most effective ways that you can take care of your health is by getting to know a General Practitioner (GP) and having a checkup once a year.
A GP will be able to check for all age appropriate health risks, answer any questions you may have about your health and outline what steps to take to make sure you stay healthy for the future.

2. Regular exercise

The benefits of regular exercise can be huge for physical, mental and sexual health. By getting into a routine that includes 30 minutes of physical exercise a day, you can be well on the way to ensuring your health for the future.

Research shows that higher levels of physical activity can reduce cardiovascular disease, help fight depression, help prevent the onset of Type II diabetes and improve sexual function.

Take control of your health with 30 minutes of daily exercise.

3. Healthy eating

Just as important as regular exercise is to make sure that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Eating well is important for both mental and physical health, so you need to know what foods to eat in what quantities and what foods to avoid to minimize health risks.

4. Stop smoking — it’s the only healthy option

Smoking causes 40% of deaths in men who are aged under age 65. If you are a smoker, it increases your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a range of cancers and other diseases.

5. Maintaining healthy relationships

Close relationships with family, friends and mates can form the cornerstone for a man’s whole life and wellbeing. They are the most important source of love, support and understanding available and often underpin a man’s sense of self.

6. Maintain a healthy mind and a healthy body

Depression affects one is six people at any time. Everyone can struggle with their day-to-day experiences, but the challenge facing men is to realize when they are getting overwhelmed and knowing how to get help.

Overall health and quality of life cannot be separated from mental and emotional health. In some cases, physical symptoms are directly related to depression–for example, aches and pains. In other cases, a serious illness sometimes triggers severe depression and suicide.

Sometimes it is difficult for men to admit they are suffering from depression. However it is estimated that depression affects over 6 million men in this country. It is not caused by weakness and it is not just a case of being “down in the dumps.” Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Men are four times more likely than women to succeed in committing suicide. This risk of completing suicide increases in men who isolate themselves, use alcohol or illicit drugs, and have lost a spouse.

Recognizing the symptoms of depression in yourself and others can be the first step to beating it. Symptoms include tiredness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest in work or other activities. If you think you may be suffering from depression seek help with your physician, or call the Five County Mental Health Authority Helpline number at 1.877.619.3761.

The following information is also available on the Five County Mental Health Authority website at www.fivecountymha.org:

  • List of Low-Cost Health Service Providers;
  • Information about Stress Affecting Military Personnel and Families;
  • List of AA, NA, Al Anon, and other support groups.
  • Encourage the men in your life to learn more about their health. By learning more effective and appropriate ways to deal with life and encouraging them to access men’s health services, men can develop into better sons, partners, and fathers, making sure that the legacy they leave isn’t one of drugs and violence