Simple tips to get men to talk about their health
After the recent deaths of musician David Bowie and actor Alan Rickman, the world was left shocked and grieving. Despite both of them having died from cancer, neither man had chosen to speak publicly about their illness.
All people are entitled to their privacy in what would of course be a difficult time. But it seems as though it is more often the females who share stories of their battles with illness and not often the males.
Is it that males don’t feel supported enough to share their stories? They need to first feel comfortable enough to discuss health with other man, which again is quite rare.
While women often speak openly with their friends about health and wellness, men tend to keep things to themselves. Some even refuse to see a doctor when there is a clear need to do so.
American actor Samuel L Jackson is a spokesperson for the charity One For The Boys. The charity encourages men to speak openly and constructively about illness in a supportive way.
Jackson is quoted as saying, “We’ll talk about our injuries but we won’t talk about our illnesses, so I think it’s time we do that.”
“I realised most guys don’t talk to other guys about what their medical conditions are – especially cancer conditions”.
All too often it seems as though men see illness as a weakness that needs to be hidden from public view – as though it is a slight on their maleness. As Samuel L Jackson said, “men don’t talk about cancer (because) it’s not the manly thing to do”. However if men understood that to battle with a serious illness actually shows bravery and strength, perhaps they would be more willing to do it.
All men are different and it’s naïve to expect men to share their feelings in the same way. For instance David Bowie was able to express himself through his music, with his final single Lazarus admitting to the listener “I’ve got scars that can’t be seen.”
Women can assist males to become used to being more open by talking about and encouraging them to attend regular health check ups. We can support them and guide them about how to speak with their friends, sons, fathers and brothers about health and wellbeing, by being a good role model ourselves.
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