Men’s mental health: a regional priority for SCU researchers

Professor John Hurley is an internationally-recognised expert in mental health nursing at Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus. He says the lack of mental health services in regional and rural settings is worsening the crisis.

Young men are particularly at risk, with suicide now the leading cause of death for men aged 15-44.

While the statistics are heart-breaking, there is cause for hope.

Professor Hurley is leading a team of health professionals who’ve banded together to train and upskill non-mental health specialists to take on support roles.

“We’ve previously run a program for parents and carers of older kids on the cusp of adulthood about how to recognise and respond to young people’s mental health needs which was really effective. So, we then just completed the program for parents, carers and teachers of a younger cohort,” Professor Hurley says.

It was independently evaluated with results showing:

• Improved participant confidence, knowledge and skills in managing child mental health challenges;
• Greater ability to identify and respond to early signs of mental health risks;
• Stronger resilience and emotional regulation in caregivers;
• Consistent application of strategies in schools, homes and communities.

"The lack of specialist mental health services for children with mental health needs and their parents is widely acknowledged, particularly in rural and regional locations. A program like the Lighthouse is all about arming parents and teachers with skills to better help children in their care, and men have a huge part to play in that," Professor Hurley says. 

“Every person has mental health needs - especially every young person. Think of all the changes a person goes through between the ages of 11 and 20. So having dads that are skilled and able to respond to the needs of their children can only benefit our community.”

So what are the contributing factors leading to poor mental health, specifically in men?

“There are greater addiction rates, and men often have fewer social connections than women, and are less likely to be talking to people or seeking help – men can often try to manage the problem themselves. And the further you are from the city, services are fewer and the worse it gets.”

Professor Hurley says another barrier is the way services are structured which often don’t suit men who would prefer not to sit down in a room with another person to talk about their emotional experiences or problems.

“Many men prefer to do things together. That's why things like men's sheds are quite popular because men tend to like that shoulder-to-shoulder doing something.

“Australia is a bit behind when it comes to prescribing for mental health issues. If you go to your GP and say you’re depressed, you’re more than likely to get an antidepressant tablet, and that tablet's going to increase your serotonin and your adrenaline and your neurochemicals by a certain amount.

“But physical exercise three times a week will give you 50 percent of that. Physical exercise is a huge part of mental health. I've been working in this field for over 50 years and there’s no distinction where mental health ends and physical health begins. My most common intervention that sees the best results? Something as simple as exercising three times a week. Often there’s a social aspect built in. And do it somewhere that's naturally beautiful for an even greater benefit.”

“Southern Cross University is proud to have experts in the areas of mental health, nursing, psychology, counselling and social science, including Professor Christian Swann, Associate Professor Eric Brymer and a PhD student I am co-supervising Mark Henderson, who are partnering with leading organisations to bring research-backed strategies to people who need them most.”

The power of mentoring

For Southern Cross University PhD student Mark Henderson, researching man-to-man mentoring was an area he unexpectedly fell into.

“I had previously studied business and had worked as a facilitator in the corporate and human services area. When I had an unexpected change in my family circumstances, I found myself in need of support,” he says.

“I had it together financially and career-wise, but I wanted to become really informed about how to be a great parent to teenage sons, so I went to the ‘Mentors for Men’ group in Coffs Harbour. These guys not only took me in, but kind of had my back.

“We had genuine and insightful discussions, from community-mindedness to listening skills. When another nationally-minded not-for-profit, Mentoring Men, asked the fellas in Coffs Harbour for some direction around mentorship, I was asked to help out and deliver a course."

“I thought I’d come up with a training course in a couple of weeks, but the more I dug, the more I found. Four months later, having compiled the good bits from my training days, drawing on superstar academics like Brene Brown and Martin Seligman, respectfully including First Nations yarning practices, and being guided by men a generation or two older than me – we had a half decent workshop to share. It went well.

“However, there were things going on for these new volunteer mentors that I didn’t quite understand. I went online, I went to the library – no answers. So, I rocked up to Southern Cross Uni requesting to speak to a Professor to gain some insight – not with academia in my sights. Before I knew what was involved, I had signed up for a scholarship into a Masters by research with a top-notch team around me. Two professors, Mark Hughes and John Hurley recognised the potential of male mentoring in helping people, and Dr Gregory Smith OAM, through his journey from hermit to academic probably knows more about loneliness and life journeys than any man alive. We make a good team, as two papers were published in a top international journal, surprising everyone. It’s now part of my PhD research.

“This research unpacks what goes on for voluntary mentors. Ordinary blokes that connect, and who offer care and support to other adult men in life’s journey. It’s based on deep listening, rather than offering advice. It’s a kind of friendship that respects the mentees choices.  Usually mentors are a bit older – who are like ‘I’ve got your back’. Research shows that as men age, they either become generative – where they’re engaged, curious, helpful and life is meaningful for them – or they become stagnant. Mentors are generative.

“A sense of belonging is crucial to people’s wellbeing. Social connection, which occurs in adult mentoring, is important for men. Australian men, on the whole, are a friendly bunch with a diverse set of talents. Once we meet, we can usually relate and communicate, even just to be grateful for being here. While some men may not be so great at the connection thing, or might be in a tough place now, mentoring has this ability to get around that, and it’s good for you.”

The great outdoors

Southern Cross University psychological science Associate Professor Eric Brymer says while research is showing nature-based and adventure-based strategies can be highly effective in supporting mental health, Australia lags behind countries such as the UK and Canada when it comes to public policy and uniform reporting of outcomes.

“There are a lot of very effective men's wellbeing programs in Australia that use outdoor nature-based, adventurous activities to support mental health, whether that be camping, hiking, woodworking, and the research shows it works, but it’s amazing how many people in our mental health sector have not realised that activities can and should be used to support mental health and wellbeing for people,” Professor Brymer says.

“As researchers we are working towards creating a framework so programs can be meaningfully evaluated and research-based, and inform federal policy.

“Mental health and wellbeing are no longer considered to be just inside the head, it’s an embodied process incorporating physical activity, and in the relationships we have with other people and with the natural world around us.”

“We want this to be as accessible as possible to people through the great work of organisations such as Movember, AMHF and The Fly Program that are specifically for men, and Back to Nature, The Veteran Surf Project in NSW and the Association of Veteran Surfers (AVS) co-founded by Southern Cross University graduate and 2022 Alumnus of the Year winner Matthew Hoare.”

Associate Professor Brymer is also a member of the Manna Institute, alongside Southern Cross University’s Professor in Psychology Christian Swann, to build the capacity of mental health researchers in rural, regional and remote communities.

This work dovetails into Professor Swann’s award-winning partnership with Movember to research the promotion of mental health through community sports clubs, through their flagship program ‘Ahead of the Game’.

“While a lot of research has targeted elite athletes, who make up only 1-2% of the sporting population, I am particularly inspired to try to improve the mental health of the other 98-99% of sports participants,” says Professor Swann who is part of a team that developed mental health guidelines for sports clubs across Australia.

When it comes to identifying red flags specifically for men, Professor John Hurley says there are mental health markers to look out for.

“If you notice someone cutting off their social ties and connections or they stop doing things they usually enjoy doing, if they’re using substances more often, engaging in risky behaviours, becoming angrier, then it’s about checking in with them, asking them if they’re okay, or if you know someone who’s close to them you could have a quiet word with them to say you’ve noticed they aren’t their usual self.

“If the matter is an emergency, then don’t hesitate to call 000 or take the person to a healthcare facility. If it is more subtle you can be a listening ear, and could gently encourage ways to taking greater self-care, including seeking help and talking about it, spending time with trusted friends, exercising and getting out in nature – inviting them to do something together.”

To sign up for The Lighthouse Program with Professor John Hurley, please email john.hurley@scu.edu.au