MINDS need training too. That’s the message being issued by headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation last week as they launched a new national campaign for young men, headcoach.
One in seven young men aged between 16 and 24 experience depression or anxiety each year – yet a meagre 13 percent seek help. Furthermore, suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in Australia.
Young men have a tough time recognising the importance of maintaining their mental health for a number of reasons including traditional gender role stereotypes, inability to identify early warning signs and a reluctance to let anyone know if they are struggling.
By bringing together some of the country’s most elite athletes to share tips and advice from their own experience, headcoach highlights the importance to young men of training their bodies and their minds.
headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan said, “While young men commonly understand the importance of maintaining their physical health, they do not place the same emphasis on maintaining their mental health, and many simply don’t know where to start.
If you, or a young man you know is struggling they can seek support at headspace through face-to-face, online and telephone services.
The seven tips to maintaining a healthy headspace can be found at www.headspace.org.au/headcoach
