Why Do Northern Guys "Tough it Out"?

Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:00 AM

Prince George, B.C. - Researchers at UNBC, UBC, and UBC-Okanagan are trying to figure out why masculinity may be getting in the way of mental health for some men.

The research project, led by Dr. John Oliffe of UBC’s School of Nursing, is exploring how men view depression, the root causes of depression, and what social factors can influence their decisions to pursue – or not pursue – diagnosis and treatment. UNBC Nursing professor Penelope Barrett says they've found that men have a tendency to "tough things out" and feel that depression is something that they should be able to deal with on their own.

“It makes it worse in northern and remote areas where access to mental health facilities is limited. Significantly fewer men are diagnosed with depression than women, yet there is a much higher rate of suicide for men than women. Recent data from area hospitals reflects a much higher rate of men diagnosed with depression in the Emergency Room. This suggests they aren’t talking to their family physician or making use of community-based health services.”

The Depression and Masculinity study focuses on men aged 19 to 44 who are in relationships and who either self-identify or have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their life. By working with men as well as their spouse/partner, Barrett hopes to gain a greater understanding of how the management of depression can play out within the dynamic of a couple.

The team is looking for male volunteers aged 19 to 44, residing within 250 kilometres of Prince George, who have faced depression in their past or are currently depressed. Researchers are also interested in speaking with their partners if possible.

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Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:00 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on February 5 2009 12:52 PM

The last time we saw a rash of suicides was in the last term of the NDP. I think men can endure lots, but they must be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
Sweden also noticed a rash of suicides a few decades ago when socialist came to power in the government. The hardest workers and the more successful you were, the more the government took. The less you worked or produced, the less you had to worry about. The end result was you found yourself sentence to a rut for the rest of your life, and men bailed out on mass.
Men just don't live well in captivity, so I don't know what the study is going to change about that. Encourage men to get in touch with their feminine side? It's not in our "jeans".

Posted by: gamblor on February 5 2009 1:10 PM

Life is tough. You gotta stick it out or get crushed like a bug. Going to a shrink for antidepressants isn't going to make your financial and personal commitments disappear, it will only mask the problem.

Posted by: He speaks on February 5 2009 3:06 PM

Yama, Gamblor you are correct with your analyze. All the doctors are interested is getting you out the door, and if it is to deal with depression, their prescription is more sleep, so that you can ignore it.

Life is tough, the faster the technology, the faster the world turns. Meaning if your not willing to keep up with the information age, your going to be left behind like dustballs in the desert. There is two ways to get ahead, work hard, work smart. If you can do both, your the lucky one.

Posted by: He speaks on February 5 2009 3:09 PM

How much is the Government going to fund this project with our hard earned tax dollars. This is the second stupid study thats hit this blog site in two days. We all know the answer to it. You dont need any more studies to confirm these facts.

Spend the money to find solutions, not confirming the well known facts.

Posted by: lost it all on February 5 2009 9:32 PM

Yama, that is bunch of crap you are spewing! I think there are alot of suicides as people are losing everything right now from all walks of life from once wealthy bankers, to small business owners, to hourly workers who have lost thier jobs.

All of these latest suicides are victims of right wing politics as the Republicans have held power in the USA for 8 long years, the Conservatives in Canada for going on 4 years, and the Liberals in BC for another 8 years.

So to say its a socialist problem one must have his head stuck up his a$$ for failure to see reality.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on February 5 2009 10:18 PM

You are right about one thing Lost It, a failure to see reality.

Nobody is going to work for you or give you their hard earned money willingly. That why socialist do what they do, they just take money away. If you need socialist to handle your depression, then you are just part of the problem.

Posted by: lost it all on February 5 2009 10:41 PM

Yama, Would sociaism be universal healthcare, cpp, old age pension?

Why do you live in Canada Yama, where we do think that maybe we could make sure all children can have access to healthcare, not just the children of the privalaged. Where we give a little to our senior citizens in the form of cpp and old age pension.

Would Capitalism be where our Federal Consevative government hands out billions to American owned automakers?

Or Yama are you from a privalaged background who is just selfish?

I am not from a wealthy background nor do I live off the government, I am however fortunate enough to be able to work and provide for my family. I am not arrogant enough to think that everyone has that same privalage. I am ok with helping out those who are not, whether that be thru my taxes, monetary contributions, or just my time and effort.

Posted by: fenceman on February 6 2009 1:02 AM

All I know is the harder times get the more beer and booze sales go up. All the Government needs to do is check their liquor store sales income to know where and how depressed people are becoming.
Maybe they could use some of that extra income to help set up group help programs for many of these people obviously in real need of some support.

Posted by: gus on February 6 2009 7:47 AM

Part of the thing we have to remember is the context of this study. There are so many people in the world doing "research" in order to meet the requirements of graduation at both the Masters and PhD level, that it is difficult for some to figure out what to do their research on.

The primary purpose is to show that one can pursue "research" and apply proper methodology in the process. I doubt that whether the "research" objectives from the point of view of the topic plays a major part in most instances.

It is well known that depression in men is different than women. In addition, it is well known that the suicide rate of men is at least double that of females in most western countries.

From the above article:

"UNBC Nursing professor Penelope Barrett says they've found that men have a tendency to "tough things out" and feel that depression is something that they should be able to deal with on their own."

DUH!!!!????

This is written as if this is a new revelation. Far from the fact.

The headline even says that the guys up in the North are "tough guys". It implies that they are different. To find that out, the researchers must apply their methodology to research from the "south", or compare it to studies that have been done elsewhere by others using the same methodology. None of that is mentioned.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-depression/MC00041

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

Posted by: heidi1555 on February 6 2009 8:43 AM

Looks like we may have found an answer for an empty school? A place for much needed support groups. Won't cost much as the classrooms should be good the way they are.

Posted by: dirtcheap on February 6 2009 11:20 AM

Who pays for all these useless studies anyway,hope it is not the tax payer.....Ya fer sure!!!Way to go team!

Posted by: gamblor on February 6 2009 7:28 PM

I've never had a problem that a case of beer and a lap dance didn't cure.