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The topic and framing of tonights discussion - "Topic Tuesday // Is mental health more challenging for men? "

MoonGalSenior Contributor20 June 2017, 4:59 pm AEST

The topic and framing of tonights discussion - "Topic Tuesday // Is mental health more challenging for men? "

Re: More challenging for men?

I am really concerned and upset that this is the framed topic for tonight's discussion.

Who shaped the content, the title and the framing? And is there an agenda, or is the title leading to a point?

Since we are ALL experiencing our individual mental health issues, mental illnesses differently - since some illnesses are relatively mild and other's are totally debilitating how can men's mental health challenge be less or more than a woman's or non-binary identifying person.

One could ask ,,, If someone is attractive and mentally ill they may find their life a bit easier than say someone who is unique physically, not the normal social view of 'pretty, handsome or beautiful". Do beautiful people find menatl health more challenging? Can you see? That the framing is problematic? Problematic for men too.

Is mental health more challenging for cis-gender woman before or after menopause?
Is it more challenging for post -partum depressive mums?
Is it more challenging for tall people?
Is it more challenging for aboriginal men and women?
Is it more challenging if a person also lives with a physical disability?

Absolutely fair to have a discussion discussing the specific gendered needs of men, and even the socialised role and emotional expectations in our society, but to discuss if mental health is more challenging for men... is dualistic and second guessing the lived experience of men, it might be easier it might be harder... but truly it is not the right perspective from which to start a discussion that is inclusive of all men even.

The framing is a mental health issue in itself!

2 replies

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In response to: The topic and framing of tonights discussion - "Topic Tuesday // Is mental health more challenging for men? "

NikNikSenior Contributor20 June 2017, 6:24 pm AEST

Re: The topic and framing of tonights discussion - "Topic Tuesday // Is mental health more challenging for men? "

Hi @MoonGal

Thanks for your feedback - I do appreciate it, as sometimes people think these things and don't raise it. So we never know!

I'm sorry that framing it this way has caused concern.

We chose the timing of this content with Men's Health Week and saw it as an opportunity to invite men into the conversation. I understand your perspective and apologise if it's come across as perhaps a competition and potentially invalidating the experience of other groups - whether than be gender, age, circumstances - as you have listed.

As you may have seen in the thread, tonight the special guest is a counsellor from Mensline. We have framed the night as men asking questions anonymously and exploring issues that impact men specifically, and also I would imagine we will talk about universal mental health related challenges too.

Later in the year, we will be tackling some of the issues that impact women specifically (eg: menopause and mental health).

I apologise if the title of the event tonight has caused that perception and has over shadowed the purpose of the night.

Thank you again for your well throughout feedback. It's something we will be considerate of in the future.

Nik

In response to: The topic and framing of tonights discussion - "Topic Tuesday // Is mental health more challenging for men? "

Unknown userMember20 June 2017, 6:24 pm AEST

Re: The topic and framing of tonights discussion - "Topic Tuesday // Is mental health more challenging for men? "

I have a very simple answer to this question . . . no. It's all got to do with individuals, the individual ailments, experiences, reactions and so on. Both men and woman are individuals.

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