Ecological Model of Australian Indigenous Men's Health

This Bloke Who Helps Me With My Tractor, He's Been the Best Psychologist: The Experience of Seeking Mental Health Support in Rural Australia

Mental illness is difficult to discuss among men due to notions of remaining tough, being a man, and societal expectations. In rural communities this is particularly evident which is further exacerbated by poor health care access. The aim of this study is to understand the lived experiences of men and their significant others when seeking mental health support in rural areas. A qualitative study was conducted using purposeful sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews in rural or regional areas of Australia. Open-ended questions were asked but more questions were developed from the responses given. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Four key themes emerged. These encompassed triggers and help-seeking caused by stressors such as work, family, and poor physical health, with support seeking from professional or informal supports. The second theme included challenges securing professional support appointments, while the third was centered on access to medication and travel time. Finally, the final theme encompassed relationships being impacted by poor mental health or created insights into the need to seek help. The experiences explored throughout this study highlight that as men are impacted, so too are married or romantic partners and children; however, they are the catalyst for help-seeking. The study further highlights even when men are psychologically prepared to seek help, it may be difficult to do so. Improving access goes beyond mere medical professionals in rural areas and must focus on supporting families and loved ones to support men.

Associations Between Masculine Norms and Health-Care Utilization in Highly Religious, Heterosexual Men

The purpose of this study was to use focus groups to explore married men’s avoidance of health-care utilization. Five focus groups of 8 to 10 married, heterosexual, male participants (N = 44) were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Several important themes emerged connected to how masculine norms were associated with health-care utilization at several domains including at the organizational level (perceptions of doctors), interpersonal level (past family context and current family context), and individual level (illness severity, money concerns). These themes were all connected with the societal theme of masculine norms, where men’s reasons for health-care utilization (or underutilization) seemed in large part to emerge because of their perceptions of male gender roles. Implications for married men’s health-care utilization and health prevention education will be discussed.

Older Aboriginal men creating a therapeutic Men's Shed: an exploratory study

Men's Sheds are entrenched throughout Australian and international communities due to their popularity in attracting mainly older men to come together and undertake various social and workshop activities. A growing body of research has emerged where men associate regular Shed participation with improved social, emotional and physical wellbeing. However, few studies have examined Aboriginal men's engagement in Men's Sheds. This article reports on a study that investigated how a cohort of older Aboriginal men from one rural Tasmanian community consider the benefits of engaging in their local Shed. A community-based participatory research approach was developed in consultation with Aboriginal community leaders to ensure the study supported the community's expectations. Interview data from ten Aboriginal men combine to represent the Shed environment as an enabling therapeutic landscape, with key themes represented as domains of belonging, hope, mentoring and shared illness experiences. Shed activities were premised on these men co-creating an informal, culturally safe and male-friendly community environment to enjoy the company of other men. The created Shed environment was mutually beneficial as the participants reported improved wellbeing despite living with the effects of declining health and ageing. The findings inform Aboriginal communities and health-care stakeholders to consider the unique role of Men's Sheds for enhancing the health of an ageing male population.