Men and their cars

By Heetham Hekmat

Men and their cars

ALL AUSTRALIAN MEN OWN A CAR. EVEN IF THEY DON’T KNOW IT YET.

AUSTRALIA AND CARS SEEM TO GO HAND IN HAND. MANY OF US LOVE OUR CARS, AND WHEN IT’S TIME FOR THEM TO BE SERVICED, WE EITHER TAKE THEM TO THE MECHANIC, OR DO IT OURSELVES. WE CHECK OUR CARS IN THE RIGHT MANNER AND AT THE RIGHT TIME. WELL, EVENTUALLY....

NOW, think of your body as a car:

Our legs are the tires, our eyes as the headlights, our hearts are the batteries, our lungs are the radiators, our brains are the engines, and, obviously, our food is the fuel. I think you have the idea.

As men with cars, we should ask ourselves:

When was the last time I checked my ears for a good sound system?

When was the last time I checked my heart for a good start to the day?

When was the last time I checked my eyes for good night vision?

We all know that if we service our cars regularly, it saves us a costly fix.

The same theory applies to our bodies!

It is also important to know your model and the issues that come with it, to be prepared and take all the precautionary actions. However, it is also important to know that each car’s performance is based on how far is has travelled and the conditions that has been through. It is the same with our bodies; we have to understand that health issues do not only belong with the elderly. Being unwell can happen at any age. You need to take care of your body and treat it car-fully.

Did you know that most of us will encounter a significant health challenge throughout our lives? And that there is an array of studies highlighting that us men are less likely to adapt and take any actions to enhance our lives? To provide an illustration, there is a plethora of studies demonstrating that Australian men experience great health risks in their lives, including:

1. Men have shorter lifespans.

2. 72 - 74% of trans men experience depression and anxiety due to prejudice and discrimination.

3. 75% of transport fatalities are of men.

4. Gay men are three times more likely to experience mental health difficulties due to oppression and isolation.

5. Six men will die of suicide daily.6. Two thirds of fatal assaults are male.

7. STI risks may be higher in some groups of men who have sex with men (MSM).

8. Men experience 60% of tobacco diseases.

9. And men account for 71-75% of alcohol and other drug related diseases

Men in Australia, and around the world, make up for the majority of health-related issue. The reason is simple: men delay seeking help or assistance regarding their health. This means there’s a simple answer.

It’s time to challenge that statistic. Book in your “car check” appointment and service your body and mind. Your “car” will thank you for it.

Heetham Hekmat, The Link Youth Health Service

We provide free and confidential health and wellbeing services for young people aged 12-25. 57 Liverpool Street, Hobart (6231 2927) www.thelink.org.au