Men’s Health Week (13 June to 17 June) offers us the opportunity to promote and support the health and wellbeing of all men.
To recognise Men’s Health Week, a panel of Monash Health clinicians joined us at last week’s Employee Wellbeing Forum to give us their expert advice for health and longevity.
Exercise every day
Jude Hewavasam, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, highlighted the importance of daily moderate exercise.
“Men have a lower life expectancy,” says Jude. “We have more illness. The research suggests that one in two men experience a mental health problem, and seven in ten men experience a physical health problem. On top of that we have higher rates of chronic disease. These are some great reasons why men should exercise, to maintain and improve our physical and mental health.”
Normalise discussing mental health
Dr Matthew Stuckey, Senior Youth Focused Mental Health Clinician, told us it’s especially difficult for men to talk about mental health.
“There’s definitely issues with the traditional masculine ideal of being stoic, not showing emotion or vulnerability,” says Dr Stuckey. “Reducing stigmas is an ongoing area that we need to be focusing on having role models in the community that continue discussing these sorts of things, normalising mental health problems.”
Know your numbers
Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash Heart, told us that it’s never too early to think about heart health.
“Everybody should know their cholesterol and blood pressure,” says Professor Nicholls. “You can walk or run around the neighbourhood, and you won’t feel like you have high cholesterol. The only way to know is to go to your doctor and have that test done.”
Don’t delay – talk to your doctor
Dr Scott Donnellan, Director of Urology, emphasised the importance of early detection.
“I wholeheartedly agree with what Stephen has said about an early and proactive screening modality for men,” says Dr Donnellan. “One of the issues for men is that if we don’t have to go to the doctor during our early years, we fall out of the habit. The key thing is to get men in the habit of attending the doctor.”
To support your health and wellbeing, we provide several initiatives available to all Monash Health employees. Visit the Wellbeing page on the intranet for more details.
Approved by Karen Lowe