Men's Mental Health - Sexynews #27

The month of June is Gay Pride Month and June 15-21 is Men’s Mental Health Week. We want to start a conversation by focusing on some of the mental health challenges men in Australia face on a daily basis. No matter what his sexual preference is, being a man comes with its own set of challenges in a society that values strength and stability in men while playing a dismissive role toward his emotions and feelings. Some common mental health issues many men face include loneliness, stress, depression and anxiety. These can often lead to social isolation, substance abuse, domestic violence and other difficulties in life.

LGBTI Challenges:

A disproportionate number of men within the LGBTI community experience even poorer mental health outcomes and have higher risk of depression and suicidal behaviours than their peers. Living in a society that sometimes treats LGBTI people poorly can be tough and this can have a serious impact on their mental health. These health outcomes are directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination, homophobia, physical and mental abuse on the basis of being LGBTI. This can happen at home, work, while out in the general public, media or pretty much anywhere. This kind of behaviour can be subtle or passive, or it can be more blatant and obvious.

Domestic Violence:

The lack of mental health awareness among men in general and negative stigmas attached greatly impacts the rate of reported domestic violence. Abuse against men happens far more than you’d expect, in both heterosexual and same sex relationships. Statistics show that 1 in 3 men experience domestic violence but are less likely to open up about it. If you’re a man experiencing domestic violence, it’s important to know that you are not alone and it’s ok to speak out about it.

How Everyone Can Help:

Reaching out and communicating is often a huge hurdle for men but we have to stand together and make it easier for men to feel comfortable reaching out for help. Each of us have an important role to play in supporting the men in our lives. To do this, we must try to understand the challenges he faces and let him know that we are there to support him when he needs help, and that it really is OK to ask for help.

Seeking Help:

Societal norms haven’t really made it easy for men to open up about their feelings and discuss what’s going on in their heads. Men’s mental health has historically taken a beating due to stigmas attached to how men should or shouldn’t show emotions. Being expected to ‘man up’ makes it hard for men to communicate his feelings. It’s even more challenging for men who live in fear of persecution due to their sexual identity. Men are four times as likely to end their own lives than women.

Maintaining Good Mental Health:

Having a supportive group of friends and family whom we feel comfortable opening up to, is crucial to everyone’s mental health, especially for those within the LGBTI community. A key factor in keeping good mental health is to have people who relate and can empathise with you and your struggles, even with day-to-day activities. If you do not have someone whom you can talk freely to, consider reaching out to a mental health provider.

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Queerspace : (03) 9663 6733
Mind Equality Centre: 1300 286 463
National LGBTI Health Alliance: (02) 7209 6301

Benefits of Sex & Masturbation for Mental Health:

While we strongly encourage people experiencing a mental health crisis to reach out for help, there are other things that you can do to help maintain good mental health. Other, fun things. :P An ounce of prevention is worth a lifetime of regret.

Anecdotal reports, as well as studies about sexual intercourse and masturbation, have shown that during orgasm, your brain works overtime to produce a number of hormones and neurochemicals. These chemical reactions have a host of benefits to your general and mental health and well-being.

• Dopamine — plays a major role in reward-motivated behaviour, focuses attention and generally increases motivation.
• Endorphins — our body's natural pain and stress fighters.
• Oxytocin — affectionately known as "the cuddle hormone", which can trigger feelings of compassion.

Benefits of Orgasms Include:

• Release of sexual tension
• Reduces stress
• Boosts your mood
• Improves sleep
• Helps you have better sex
• Helps you feel greater pleasure
• Gives you a better understanding of what you need and want in a physical relationship
• Boosts immune system
• Burns calories

So it is not surprising that having an orgasms stimulates your brain in the same way as doing drugs or listening to your favourite music. Your brain’s synapses light up after eating a chocolatey dessert the same way as it lights up during an orgasm.

But when someone is feeling depressed or anxious, it can be difficult to get into the mood for getting down and dirty, so we have some helpful hints and tips to help you get those endorphins going and those juices flowing!

Set the Mood:

A great way to get into the mood for some action is to get yourself relaxed and comfortable. You don't even need to have a partner to indulge in some self love but it never hurts to have another set of hands in the fun.

Having the DONA Scented Massage Candle gently burning away will set the lighting and release a fragrant blend of pheromones, aphrodisiacs and irresistible aromas that will have you melting.

Run yourself a relaxing bath and soak in the DONA Aphrodisiac And Pheromone Infused Bubble Bath. This will leave your skin feeling amazing and beautifully scented. Check out our full range of irresistible Pheromone Enriched Products.

Erotic Massage: 

Erotic massage is one of the best ways to help you feel calmed and relaxed. This involves the masseur rubbing the receiver’s body in a sensual and soft, sexy manner. Lubricating the body with seductive scents will help develop a sense of sexual arousal. Gently kneading the body to relieve tension helps to release endorphins that allow muscles to relax after massage. Erotic massage can also help to improve erections. Prostate and perineal massages are great for most men. We carry an assortment of Prostate Massagers that would be perfect to include in your erotic massage session for a fully climatic experience.

Help set the stage for sensual and relaxing play with JO All-In-One Massage Kit which contains everything you need to get started with a romantic evening of sensual massages and other intimate play pleasures.

The Energizing Body Sensation Shiatsu Massage Oil which is based on natural oils, helps promote nourished, healthy skin. Exquisite fragrances pamper the senses and awaken erotic moods with every massage. Have a look at our full Erotic Massage range.

Prostate Massage:  

While massaging the important bits, don't forget the prostate! One of the best toys to help give that relaxing prostate massage is the Aneros Vice 2 Prostate Massager.  Building on the legend of the award winning Vice massager, the Vice 2 is the next generation in vibrating prostate pleasure for men. Every curve and contour of the Aneros Vice 2 Prostate Massager has been anatomically configured to perform in harmony with his body with a larger profile for deeper, fuller sensations.

For solo self loving, the Pretty Love Vibrating Sturdy Dong is ergonomically curved to enhance prostate stimulation. It is durable, pliable vibrating and is made from silicone. It comes with a massive 10 functions of vibration that sends waves to the sensitive parts of your body.

Be sure to look at our full range of Perineal And Prostate massagers and find one that’ll have his endorphins pumping! 

Solo Self Love:  

Although it’s been proven that sex and masturbation can help relieve some symptoms of mental illness, it’s not always easy to bring yourself to the climax when you are flying solo. That doesn't mean that you have to miss out on the full benefits of raising those endorphins. Sometimes, a simple Sexual Enhancer is all the added stimulation you may need to heighten the mood and increase your chances of sexual gratification.

Masturbation Toys:  

Sexyland is committed to offering a wide range of self love toys to suit everyone's pleasures. The Firefly Dat Ass, glow in the dark masturbator sets the tone for a wild and sexy solo encounter. Designed to simulate the feeling of penetrating a real butt, this perfectly textured love tunnel is ready to take your load.

Available with our Sexyland Quickie 1-2 hr delivery is the Fun Factory Manta Vibrating Penis Stroker which is great for targeted vibration during masturbation. Its divided shape and the wings are created to intensify the power and add movement to the vibration, whether you use it as a stroker or for targeted stimulation, Manta will deliver powerful sensations to take you to orgasm heaven.