Men’s Health Week 11 – 17 June
Clinical adviser to beyondblue: the national depression initiative, Associate Professor Michael Baigent, says that in Men’s Health Week both doctors and men who drink need to think about the relationship between depression and alcohol.
“It’s important that co-existing depression and alcohol dependence be treated at the same time. However, when talking to a doctor, men need to be frank and honest about how much they drink – and doctors need to question men about their drinking habits,” he said.
“Both can be, and ideally should be, addressed at the same time. Intoxication and depression can be a very dangerous combination which puts a person at increased risk of suicide.”
Around one million Australian adults live with depression each year. On average, one in six men will experience depression at some time in their lives.
Depression in men is often not recognised by themselves, their families or their friends. If depression is not detected, it can’t be treated and then it has the potential to become severe and disabling.
