Part 1 of a three part blog series
Content warning: These blogs share personal experiences of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and medication side effects. Please consider your own wellbeing before reading.
Mental health being of importance to us all is not a new concept. This is the first of three blogs reflecting on mental health, my own journey and our responsibility in supporting dementia care differently.
“And therefore, if the head and the body are to be well, you must begin by curing the soul… for where temperance comes and stays, there health is speedily imparted.”
(Plato, ca. 380 BCE/1892, 156e)
This quote comes from the Greek philosopher Plato, writing around 380 BCE. Plato shares the teaching of his mentor Socrates speaking about the importance of caring for the soul alongside the body. For me, these words highlight why prioritising our mental health is essential to our wellbeing in life. Caring for our mental and emotional wellbeing deserves the same attention as caring for our bodies.
My mental health journey
So why is this important to me? Here’s why. I have lived with major depressive disorder and anxiety for over 20 years. Recently, after a significant amount of travel, the pressures that go with running your own business and some other stressors, my mental health began to decline. I ignored it. I took the attitude of “She’ll be right, mate” which is considered to be the way we Australians respond when we don’t want to deal with things that really should be dealt with. I continued to push on.
This led to what some would describe as a ‘crash and burn’ situation. This is the third major episode of mental health decline in my life. I couldn’t get out of bed. I lacked motivation and the ability to think clearly and separate my emotions from what was really happening around me. I felt worthless and alone. When I began feeling suicidal whilst sitting at our dining table in the early hours of one morning, I knew I needed help.
Let me be clear, I have the most amazing, supportive family. They were by my side the entire time, as they always have been. My wife and kids could not be more loving, and they are my reason for living. Truth be told, my wife noticed the worsening of my mental health before I did. Even then I didn’t pick up on the conversations where she tried to support me and my awareness. I sought urgent help from my mental health specialist, and medication changes began.
Several months down the road, I am feeling much more like myself. I have a greater sense of wellbeing, and I’ve reengaged with my purpose. I am on the road to recovery.
Why men’s mental health matters
Mental health matters for all of us, regardless of gender, identity or age. I want to focus specifically on men’s mental health because my own experience has reminded me how easy it can be to ignore what is happening and keep pushing on. Stigma and expectations about being ‘strong’ can make it difficult for men to speak openly or seek support.
In no way am I saying that mental health problems affect men more than women. Globally, depression affects approximately 1 in 16 adult women, compared with 1 in 24 adult men, equivalent to 6.2% and 4.1% respectively (World Health Organization, 2026). This statistic relates only to depression, rather than the many different mental health disorders people can experience. Yet men die by suicide at around twice the rate of women globally (World Health Organization, 2025). Suicide has many contributing factors, but this difference highlights the importance of a specific focus on men’s mental health and suicide prevention. For me, it reinforces why recognising a decline and asking for help matters.
Movember is an international movement that aims to improve men’s mental health and prevent suicide by encouraging connection, open conversations and access to support. It works to challenge stigma and improve how communities and health services recognise and respond to men’s mental health needs (Movember, n.d.).
Here are some quick stats that help put this into context:
- Canada: Around 1 in 9 men met criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder in the previous year; fewer than 1 in 2 affected men consulted a health professional (2022 data; Stephenson & Fournier, 2026).
- Australia: Almost 1 in 5 men experienced a mental disorder in the previous year; around 1 in 3 affected men saw a health professional (2020–2022 data; Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023).
- England: Around 1 in 6 men had a common mental health condition; fewer than 1 in 2 men with significant symptoms received treatment (2023/4 data; Clery et al., 2025; Liubertiene et al., 2025).
- Ireland: Around 1 in 10 men screened positive for a probable mental health problem in 2024; around 1 in 5 men reporting distress or poor quality of life consulted a professional in the 2023 survey (Department of Health, 2023, 2024).
- Singapore: Around 1 in 7 men screened positive for poor mental health; around 1 in 2 said they would seek professional help if constantly unable to cope with stress (2025 data; Ministry of Health & Health Promotion Board, 2026).
These surveys ask different questions and cover different age groups and time periods, so the figures are not direct comparisons. Singapore’s figure describes willingness to seek help, rather than help actually received. There are signs of progress too: the latest England survey found similar treatment rates among men and women with significant symptoms (Clery et al., 2025). Even so, many people are still living with difficulties without professional support.
Giving mental health the priority it deserves
Plato’s words remind us that caring for our inner wellbeing alongside our bodies is an idea with a long history. Have things gotten better? Absolutely yes, in terms of the treatment and support systems available. Yet we still have a long way to go in giving mental health the same recognition and priority as physical health. Whilst you can’t always see mental health problems, it doesn’t make them any less real or debilitating.
My own experience has reminded me why recognising a decline and asking for help matters. My family were by my side, and I still needed professional support. Those two things can sit alongside each other. Having people who love us does not make mental health problems any less real. For me, this is why mental health needs to be prioritised.
In part two:
I share what happened when one of the medications prescribed left me feeling completely numb, and why this has made me think more deeply about people living with dementia who may find it difficult to tell us how a medication makes them feel.
If this blog brings up difficult feelings, support is available. You do not have to face them alone.
- UK: Samaritans offers emotional support, 24 hours a day. Call 116 123, free.
- Ireland: Samaritans Ireland offers emotional support, 24 hours a day. Call 116 123, free.
- Canada: 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline provides support if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or worried about someone else. Call or text 988, free, 24 hours a day.
- Australia: Lifeline provides crisis and emotional support, 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
- Singapore: Samaritans of Singapore provides emotional and crisis support, 24 hours a day. Call 1767 or WhatsApp 9151 1767.
- Movember: Visit movember.com for information about men’s health, mental health and suicide prevention, and to select your country’s website.
Managing Director, MCM