The fact is, us blokes don’t love to jabber on about our feelings, even – especially – when we feel like s**t. That doesn’t mean we don’t feel bad sometimes.

But that’s the problem.

No one knows how I am feeling. I keep to myself, keep my head down, hope no one notices, hoping (against any sound reason) that it will just – like a miracle – get better.

A bit like how COVID-19 was just going to miraculously go away one day.

Well it hasn’t, and it won’t.

You know, there’s plenty of blokes feeling the same way. You are not alone. One in seven Australian men experience depression, anxiety or both in any year. That’s nearly 15% of men every year!

The feeling that you are at the bottom of a well, or a deep ocean; drowning in your own emptiness; a sense of meaninglessness or hopelessness. That pretty much defines how a chap feels in those moments when there seems to be no other option and you just want out.

But there IS help. You CAN feel better about yourself and your situation. You can feel joy again.

The first thing to do is reach out. Talk to someone you think is a decent sort of person, whether friend or family.

If you don’t know anyone like that, try going to your GP or go to your local hospital. There are definitely caring and compassionate people there who really want you to talk to them.

Or you can call Lifeline’s 24/7 support line 13 11 14.

You’ll be surprised how good it is just to offload what you’re feeling. I mean, it really feels liberating! Just to know someone else knows and doesn’t condemn you is amazing.

A wise man once wrote: “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult –  once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult.”   -M. Scott Peck, “The Road Less Travelled”

So.. talk to someone who can help you see the truth. It WILL get better. Just talk to someone. Don’t be alone.

Some great online resources:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

This article has been written by Dr Tim Jansz.