FROM Opendoor’s ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES TEAM 
Loneliness and isolation
Men often present with feelings of loneliness. This can stem from the belief they have no meaningful or purposeful relationships with others. Although they may have physical connections with others, feelings of loneliness can still arise due to not feeling valued or respected in these relationships. For instance, John, a 35-year-old father, often felt lonely despite being surrounded by his family. He felt his work and responsibilities were not appreciated, leading to a sense of isolation. Stemming from this, men may withdraw even further, which leads to isolation where they are not engaging or interacting with those around them.
Connecting with people and sharing similar experiences or interests with others is one way to start reducing isolation and feelings of loneliness. Some examples to explore include:
- joining local community groups
- volunteering
- participating in sporting groups
- getting involved in projects such as Men’s Shed (Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) – Join Our Community).
Stress and worry
Feeling stress and worry occurs in small doses across everyone’s life; however, it can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted if they become too much. Men often find they are feeling increased levels of stress and worry when unemployed, having financial concerns, experiencing relationship difficulties or housing concerns. Feeling like they are unable to meet expectations for a prolonged period of time may lead to other mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression.
Even when the things causing men to feel stressed or worried seem out of their control, it’s important to remember that there are several strategies they can try to manage these feelings better, including:
- exercising
- practising deep breathing (here is a useful reference which can assist you in learning about different types of breathing: How to Practice Deep Breathing)
- connecting with people who are important to them
Researching coping strategies to find one that works best for you is an excellent place to start. Here are some useful websites to refer to:
For anyone experiencing loneliness, isolation, stress, and worry, connecting with a GP and a mental health professional is a pivotal step in managing these concerns. Men, in general, are far less likely to reach out and ask for support than others, so it is vital to encourage all men who are facing difficulties to reach out to a GP. For additional information, men can also access helpful resources such as:
∞ Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health | Science. Compassion. Action.
∞ Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention – Beyond Blue
∞ Free help, referrals & counselling for men: MensLine Australia
