Post by Central West Hospital and Health Service

For Dr David, improving men's health in rural Queensland is more than a job, it's his passion. ❤️ Growing up near Gympie, he saw firsthand the incredible impact a doctor can have on a small community. Today, as Executive Director of Medical Services at @Central West Hospital and Health Service in Longreach, he is using that experience to improve the health and wellbeing of men living in rural and remote Queensland. As a rural generalist with mental health advanced skills training and a passion for men's health, Dr David is focused on tackling some of the biggest health challenges facing rural men, including higher rates of heart disease and suicide, and encouraging men to seek help when they need it. Throughout his career, he has seen positive developments in men's health but says stigma around seeking help still exists. 'Realistically there are concerns about confidentiality and the fact you’re not particularly anonymous in small towns,' he said. 'We need to work hard to break down that barrier to men presenting. 'The reality is there are some societal norms that still exist where we expect our men to be strong and self-sufficient. They don’t feel open to talking about their worries and problems. Those regional areas haven’t quite caught up in that sense.' Dr David encourages families, friends and mates to look out for one another and check in when something doesn't seem right. 'If someone's not acting themselves, then I think there’s that opportunity to ask, ‘are you ok?’ and just check in. Take the time to listen,' he said. 'Encourage them to get help. You don’t have to solve everything yourself but I think just being there as that first port of call is a really helpful thing.' 🫶 Through his work in rural medicine, Dr David continues to advocate for better access to healthcare and support for men across regional Queensland. Thank you, Dr David, for your dedication to men's health and rural communities. 💙 To read more of his story, head here: https://lnkd.in/gyGxBvDn