FED: Mens ambassador says depression suicide link too simplistic

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2008
FED: Mens ambassador says depression suicide link too simplistic

A leading men's health expert says blaming male suicide on mental health issues and
depression is too simplistic.

Professor JOHN MACDONALD .. who's co-director of the University of Western Sydney's
Men's Health Centre .. says social factors like job loss or relationship breakdowns also
play a major role and shouldn't be overlooked.

Professor MACDONALD's unveiled results of a study today focussing on male survivors
of suicide .. which shows it's often a combination of social factors .. not initially
mental health problems .. which cause five men a day in Australia to kill themselves.

These include things like .. separation from children and partners .. unemployment
.. bad childhood experiences .. and abuse of drugs and alcohol.

AAP RTV dr/fdf/tm

KEYWORD: SUICIDE (SYDNEY)

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