G’day, I’m
Switched-on Sam
I understand the biggest risks to my health and limit them as best I can. I don’t smoke, limit how much I drink and know my family history when it comes to certain health conditions. I know workplace injuries are a huge contributor to injury in men and so I speak up about my concerns when it comes to certain tasks on-site.
What are the benefits of getting switched-on?
Risk-taking behaviour is when you do things that will have an outcome that you can’t predict, and men are more likely than women to do it. Just because a behaviour is common or cool doesn’t make it okay for your health. Switch on and swerve these risks...
Cut back on the booze
We’ve been raised to see drinking as an Australian pastime, considered either relatively harmless or even healthy, but alcohol contributes to more than 200 different types of disease and injury.
Ditch the darts
Smoking harms almost every part of your body and increases your risk of developing a range of cancers, heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, fertility issues, vision loss, dental problems and more.
Shield your skin
Staying safe in the sun reduces the risk of skin cancer by 50%, but only 29% of Australian men regularly apply sunscreen, and only one in three are likely to always wear a hat.
Protect your pleasure
Unprotected sex can lead to unplanned pregnancy and STIs. While there’s no need for shame and stigma around STIs, it’s also important to be switched on about prevention and understand the long-term consequences if they go untreated.
How do you become a Switched-on Sam?
Hit the start button on these small habits to reduce risk taking.
Start with small changes
Recognising harmful drinking habits can be challenging, and it’s not always as clear-cut as hitting ‘rock bottom’.
Compare your consumption to the guidelines (no more than ten standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any day) and consider how your booze habits impact your day to day.
Sam’s helpful hint
Remember your why
If you are struggling to quit cigarettes or vaping, focusing on the health and financial benefits can help you stay smoke-free.
Reach out to family and friends for support and distract yourself with new activities.
Sam’s helpful hint
Get sun smart
When in the sun, use all five forms of sun protection — slip-on covering clothing, slop on SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on some sunnies.
Regularly check your skin for new spots or changes to existing spots, and talk to a GP if you have any concerns.
Sam’s helpful hint
Wrap it up
Sometimes, there are no signs that you or your sexual partner has an STI. Always use a condom during sexual activity and get regular sexual health checkups.
Get tested at your GP or a sexual health clinic every six to 12 months and when you change partners.
Sam’s helpful hint
Enact a self-ban
Avoid high-risk situations like using gaming venues for socialising, using credit cards, taking out loans or carrying large amounts of money with you.
If you’re concerned about your gambling habits, organise a self-ban with many gambling establishments.
Sam’s helpful hint
Save PBs for the gym
The majority of workplace injuries occur from lifting, pulling or pushing actions.
If it's too heavy, ask for help.
Sam’s helpful hint
Men's Health Week Ambassador
Callum MacPherson
A journalist by trade and founder of the Young Blood Men's Mental Health podcast, Callum is dedicated to sharing the stories of men under 40 and their struggles, emotions and life lessons, to show that no matter what we go through we’re not alone. The podcast is a preventable health strategy that promotes community mental health awareness and seeks to increase mental health literacy through shared lived experience.
Switched-on Sam in real life
Real stories
9 min read
How Angus recognised his dependence on drinking, drugs and gambling
Heroes don’t work alone and neither do healthy habits…
Switched-on Sam’s habits make him a Good Health Hero but being healthy is more than getting active. Meet the other heroes, learn about their habits and combine their powers to become a Good Health SUPERHero.
Think you're invincible?
Find out which health habits you're nailing and the ones that need work.
More health information for men
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Alcohol use disorder is the medical term for having a drinking problem. Find out the symptoms and where to get help.
Risk-taking
ED, impotence
Risk-taking behaviours and normal characteristics of boys and men that can have positive or negative effects on health, growth, and development.
When you smoke tobacco in cigarettes you absorb toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that affect your health.
Steroid misuse or abuse
Androgen misuse or abuse
Difficulty having sex
Difficulty having sex
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty sleeping
Infection
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Steroid misuse is using testosterone or similar drugs without medical need; abuse is for enhancing image or performance.
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty sleeping
Infection
Infection
Mood changes
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Substance use disorder is the medical term for having a drug problem that affects thinking and behaviour.
Men’s health articles
#menshealthweek #goodhealthheroes #healthhero #localhero
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