Depression offers no clemency for its victims and can strike at any time. The condition is not something to be ashamed of, and the best way to seize control is by seeking help. Currently, the public opinion of this condition carries enormous stigma, with many scared to admit they require help. A recent study conducted by Resilient Youth Australia exposed a worrying trend of young people disguising their true feelings. The findings, which included a sample of nearly 4500 Year 7 to 12 students, discovered that 30 per cent of boys and 34 per cent of girls feel constantly stressed and unable to overcome these difficulties. These statistics, particularly in boys, could be flawed as many boys could be keeping their emotional difficulties hidden due to the perceived need to conform to the male stereotype of being strong and unemotional. In comparison, girls tend to be more willing to reveal their worries and concerns and seek the support they need, whether from professionals or their own family.
It is well known in the medical field that depression is a serious biological illness and not a ‘disease of will’. However, depression is also caused by a number of factors, rather than just through a chemical imbalance of the brain. Executive Director of the Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Professor Patrick McGorry thinks labelling depression as an illness is only one component of a much larger ordeal.
“There are certainly brain changes but there is a chicken and egg aspect to this. Sometimes they might be primary, but more commonly secondary to traumatic life events,” Professor McGorry reasons. This is an important distinction; modern neuroscience has proven depression is, in part, a result of changes in brain chemistry. A common misconception can be to confuse this condition as sadness, and by doing so, failing to acquire the therapy one needs. Since depression is an illness of the brain, unlike sadness, symptoms may last for years if left untreated.
Boys must realise it’s ok to be emotional. The tendency to conceal your feelings, away from family and friends, creates an isolated environment which is not the best way to seek assistance. Similar to how revealing one’s sexual orientation remains an alienating process, the ‘coming out’ admission that you do have a problem with your emotions can be extremely difficult, for both boys and girls alike. Arguably, it is more challenging for young males to openly express their troubles.
Elizabeth Matjacic, senior counselling psychologist at RMIT Bundoora, thinks it would be valuable if more time is devoted to raising awareness, regarding the adversity boys are placed under.
“In the same way that the feminist movement has paved the way for women to be more assertive, it would be nice if there was a movement that paved the way for men and boys to express their feelings.”
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As someone who has suffered from major depression, I can’t help but have a bitter resentment to the stigma against men and boys when it comes to mental health. For years I was too scared to admit I was feeling down, for no apparent reason – and for the most part, I had no idea what depression even was. The bruises and scars remain long after. I am glad that mental health now is being placed as being as important, if not more so than physical health. Less than a decade ago I highly doubt this was the case (even if we’d like to believe so).
Being diagnosed with depression is not a death sentence, but failing to acquire the treatment you need is. My personal struggle could have also been made so much easier, if it wasn’t for the stigma against boys when it comes to depression. Society must be empowered to see through the veil of stigmatisation surrounding young men and depression.
Depression is a serious but treatable illness, which can affect anybody. Yet the stigma which clouds this area prevents people from seeking the assistance they need. However, sympathy should reside with a victim of depression who has trouble admitting they have a problem. The stigma is such that it is difficult in our society to freely express your feelings without being judged.
Ignore what society thinks of depression, as this will just exhaust a mass pollution of stigma. At the moment, our knowledge of what exactly depression is and how it can affect anyone is horrendously poor. Why can’t boys freely express themselves, without judgement? We are taught to conform to a certain stereotype that can be detrimental, and it’s time to change it.
If you are severely struggling with depression, without knowledge of what to do, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. If there is immediate danger, please call 000.
Jonathan is a Professional Communication student at RMIT University, interested in literature and politics. Follow him on Twitter at @JonoPertile.