Discussing male depression from the perspective of how Counsellors, experience

and respond to adolescent male callers.

Authors: Jenni & Kerrie Presenter: Kerrie Role Play: Jenni & Todd

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1. Initial angry or aggressive presentations may mask depressive symptoms

2. Angry/aggressive behaviour may elicit the opposite desired response from the counsellor

3. Traditional male culture discourages them from help seeking behaviour

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1. Depression and anxiety often have their onset in teenage years

2. 1 in 6 Australian men suffer from depression at any one time

3. 4 x more young men than young women commit suicide.

In the past 30 years, the suicide rate for males aged 15-24 years tripled. (www.beyondblue.org.au)

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KHL research statistics

• In 2008 there were 786 contacts relating to mental health made by males 25 years or younger.

• Ninety percent of these were recorded under severities 3, 4 or 5.

• Fifty two per cent were aged between 15 and 18 and 39% were between 19 and 25 years.

• Since 2004 (5 years) there have been 3,549 contacts by males under 26 years of age recorded under the mental health problem type.

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Depression and anxiety often have their onset in the teenage years.

• In the longer term depression can reduce social and vocational opportunities

• Men are less likely to show “typical” signs of depression such as crying or sadness

• Depression in men may cause them to keep their feelings hidden. Instead they may become more irritable and aggressive (www.webmd.com)

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Masking Depression

• Depression symptoms in men may be less readily apparent, as they may be masked by:

• alcohol or substance abuse (www.mayoclinic.com)

• Anger rage and pent up resentment

• Avoidance of intimacy (Archibald D Hart)

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Some mental health professionals suggest that if the symptoms of depression were expanded to include anger, blame, lashing out and abuse of alcohol, more men might be diagnosed with depression and treated appropriately

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Case Study

• John (not his real name), aged 19, contacted KHL and spoke with a female counsellor

• Initially presented in an angry and aggressive manner

• Presenting issue around lack of successful employment over the preceding 2 years

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John’s Presentation

Initially John was • Angry and defensive • Unemployment• Relying on alcohol• Angry outbursts• Depression• Loneliness• Grief

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Topics of discussion

• Being fired from his job due to an angry outburst

• Frustration at not being able to secure a permanent job

• Drinking heavily during this period of time

• Concerned about his outbursts of anger

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Topics of discussion

• Emigrated with family from England two years ago

• Loss of familiar social networks

• Physical and emotional changes

• Depression

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Counselling Strategies

• Person centred approach

• Active listening and paraphrasing of content

• Reflecting feelings • Recognition and exploration of emotional symptoms

• Definition and clarification of problem

• Linking emotional symptoms and problematic behaviours

• Discussion of available supports

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What KHL offer

• On going counselling

• Wrap around care

• Three way telephone call if required

• Appropriate referral

• Advocacy