Men's Health
Since 2003, men all over Australia have been ditching their razors and growing a moustache to raise awareness and funds for a range of men's health issues, including prostate cancer and mental health. I am very passionate about supporting causes that care about making a difference to the lives of Australians. However I can assure you that I have been known to complain about the aesthetics of my husband and his mo.
Men's health impacts all of us, not just men. Mental Health is arguably one of the greatest medical challenges we face today. Family history, fast paced living, diet, lack of exercise all compound to contribute to this condition. Raising awareness is helping society to understand the range of issues people who suffer from mental health issues face and endure but we are still a long way off total acceptance and successful treatment! More research, more awareness, more understanding, more education all equals more fundraising (more moustaches and long lunches can’t be a bad thing!)
If I can be blunt (and I can as I am writing this article) ignorance is also a concern. Australians are renowned for our “it won’t happen to me” attitude and when it comes to mental health and cancer many believe that they will not be affected. Australian’s are also largely underinsured. They do not accept personal insurance as a necessity in certain life stages. If you were unable to work due to mental health condition, some other injury or illness how will you pay your mortgage, put food on the table? Will you move back with mum and dad? Borrow more money? Ignore this question because it won’t happen to you? Wake up. It happens to somebody every day.
Income protection can provide you with a monthly sum to assist you with your daily living expenses. In 2014 TAL paid out $275,081,971* on income protection claims alone and of this 8.5% was due to mental health issues. This percentage is rising each year.
Trauma claims were equally as staggering! $43m paid out and 65% for were cancer claims. Of this 52.9% were for our men!
Take the time to ask your friends “Are you OK?” Talk to your friends about the importance of personal insurance so that in the event of tough times, they have financial assistance in place. We need to communicate openly to drive change and acceptance in this area.
Grow your mo’s or donate your dollars. Check on your mates and check your insurance policies.
*These figures represent actual claims paid by TAL from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014 across all TAL products. See 2014 Claims statistics TAL www.tal.com.au
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