Fifty men a day die from preventable diseases in Australia, according to a peak body for the men's health sector. It’s a statistic that needs to change.
June is Men’s Health Month, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is reminding Aussie blokes just how important taking charge of their health is.
RFDS South Eastern Section Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shannon Nott, said developing a healthy body and mindset can help keep men emotionally and physically strong.
“I’ve grown up on the land, and as medical professional, I have chosen to dedicate my career to supporting rural and remote communities. There is a real ‘she’ll be right’ mentality that existed 30 years ago that still exists in pockets today,” Dr Shannon said.
“However, we have learnt so much about the importance of preventative health, of oral health and its link to overall health, and how regular check-ups can contribute to better health outcomes."
"This is why our service is so vital – our regular driving and flying clinics to communities like Tilpa, Pooncarie, The Marra and Walgett are so important. We go to where we are most needed."
Dr Shannon Nott
Distance should not be a barrier to healthcare, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service provides primary healthcare in rural and remote communities across the Far West and Western NSW.
“We know it can be difficult to take time out of your busy day to get to a doctor, particularly when your closest medical professional can be several towns over,” Dr Shannon said.
“This is why our service is so vital – our regular driving and flying clinics to communities like Tilpa, Pooncarie, The Marra and Walgett are so important. We go to where we are most needed.”
Dr Shannon said he is encouraged by some of the changes he is seeing in how men approach their health in the community. “It’s great to see that men’s mental health is receiving more attention. There is still so much we need to do, but we are seeing more men talking openly about how they deal with the challenges of living and working on the land,” he said.
“The We’ve Got Your Back Program which we run with Lifeline is a great example of breaking down the stigma when it comes to mental health. Droughts, floods, isolation, family dynamics, substance abuse – these are real issues in our communities that are tough to deal with.”
Our We’ve Got Your Back Champions live on the land and have experienced these challenges themselves and are on call to provide a friendly ear to anyone who is doing it tough. Sometimes all a person needs is to know they aren’t alone, and other times they can be referred to our services for extra support.
“The more we talk openly about men’s physical and mental health, and the more men go for those regular check-ups and check-ins with their mates, the better,” Dr Shannon said.
