'Last year, I fell into a deep depression. For a long time, it made me feel less of a man.'

November is Men’s Health Awareness Month in Australia. A month dedicated to shedding light on a wide range of men’s health issues to help get us blokes talking openly about what’s going on and how we are feeling – not ignoring the fact that men tend to be more reluctant to seek help or treatment for their health struggles.

One area of particular significance is around men’s mental health. According to statistics, on any day in Australia, approximately 4.8 million Australians are currently experiencing some form of mental health condition. That can include depression, anxiety, burnout, or substance abuse, amongst others. That’s around one in five people. For men, it’s even higher. Some very confronting statistics if you think of the people who are around you at this very moment. Can you spot the individual? Can you tell who it is?

For me, these statistics became a little more real this year because I became that one in five. In a very unexpected and sudden turn of events, the rug was pulled out from under me. Terms like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Regressive Childhood Trauma, Acute Anxiety Disorder, Transactional Analysis Theory – terms that were completely and utterly foreign to me prior – became part of my vocabulary.

While you're here, watch why men are embarrassed to talk about mental health. Story continues below.

On a good day, I could show up to work, show up for my family, and show up for myself. On a bad day, I could spiral, barely pulling myself out of bed. I felt I couldn’t breathe; I had tunnel vision as far as the eye can see, and a heaviness in every limb that would weigh down my entire body. I am thankful that most of those bad days are behind me.

As a leader in a creative field, it is amazing how many people thought everything was ‘fine’. However, I am not surprised to learn that my industry is suffering. In a recent study on the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian media, marketing and creative industries alone, 56 per cent of people surveyed displayed mild to severe levels on the depression scale. That compares to a national average of around 20 per cent. One in four displayed severe signs of anxiety. Maybe take another look around now.

What surprised me the most was the stigma of weakness that’s still attached to speaking out about these issues. It’s particularly ironic given the industry has communication at its core. 54 per cent of people said they wouldn’t tell anyone if they had been diagnosed with depression and around 33 per cent of people believed they would be treated poorly if they disclosed a mental illness diagnoses. In marketing terms, this ROI would not be considered acceptable.

For a long time, I held this stigma for myself and that I was somehow less of a man for it. It was bullsh*t, and I know it now. And even in writing this article, the potential for judgement or getting that sideways glance from people thinking: ‘is he really okay?’ I can understand the reasons many don’t, or won’t, speak up. Even as I’d lessen myself for experiencing depression and anxiety, I never once judged another person as weak for acknowledging their own experience with mental illness – and certainly not for manning up and doing something about it.

As a designer, I’m a big believer that with any piece of work, the difference between what sets it apart as a good piece of design is its ability to communicate effectively.

However, as a human and a father, the moment I reached out and opened a line of communication with someone became a turning point for me. I cannot explain the relief. That heaviness became that little lighter. It also made me realise: since when has working hard and using all the best tools to overcome a challenge been anything but strong, determined, and ‘manly’?

According to Ben Broadbridge, Founder of Beyond All Bounds, an organisation focused on delivering mental health first aid training to some of WA’s leading organisations, the more equipped and educated we are in assisting someone experiencing a mental health problem, the better. “Despite all our creative technology and evolution, many of us have a real issue of disconnection and judgement. We need to lead conversations and create safety for those struggling to share openly. Only when these conditions are right will things come into bloom. It’s on each and every one of us to normalise the conversations and lead open communication. It's amazing the domino affect it causes.”

That ability to establish a strong and reliable safety net or support structure around me became the foundation to move positively forward. How quickly the dynamic of my mindset changed. It surprised me how I could turn my situation around, despite the tough journey ahead. And while my mental health has never been sharper, believe me when I say that every day is still a challenge.

For anyone who is currently navigating their way through any form of mental health condition, it can become a pivotal moment when you realise it’s easier to open up than keeping it bottled up. Admittedly, the initial hurdle can be tough, but it’s more valuable than you’ll ever know.

The mixed bag of individuals who took the time to listen to me became the heroes of my journey. They know who they are and I’m highly grateful. Some I’ve known for over 20 years, others for only a few months. They randomly checked on me, we’d share stories, buy coffees, give advice, but more importantly, I knew they had my back when things weren’t going well. They effectively held me accountable in redesigning my way of thinking.

Within the workplace, we need to be less judgemental and more accepting of this way of thinking. We need to encourage those around us to open up and engage in honest communication around mental health. The more open we are about these matters, the more strength we’ll find in ourselves. If you don’t have someone to chat with, know that there are plenty of options available. And you can always call me. It’s great to see what a little bit of conversation can really do.

Image: Supplied.

Dan Agostino is a designer, art director, writer and brand specialist. As one of Perth’s most senior creatives, he is a regular guest speaker and lecturer in design. Having twice been nominated as a finalist for ‘Designer of the Year’, he has been awarded both locally and internationally for his work. The work he is most proud of, however, is with his three sons, an eight-year-old and six-year-old twins.