My Dad’s My Mate
Ben Capp | 24/10/2011
A recent study has shown us that there is a direct link between the relationship a son has with his father and male depression.
With only 3 out of 10 Australian men being close to their fathers, I thought it was about time someone took a look into why this number was so alarmingly low.
It is all too common, boys that grow up in a household where it’s not welcomed to share your emotions. They’ve been taught by their father, who was bought up in a different time, where it’s not “manly” and it shows weakness if you shed a tear or talk about something that upsets you. They don’t know any better as it was how they were bought up and probably exactly how their dad was bought up.
I, however, grew up in a house with 3 sisters and if I didn’t cry or share my emotions, they’d make sure I had something to cry about by the end of dinner. Let me tell you, 3 teenage girls all synchronized with their monthly agenda would make any boy cry.
I was 7 when my dad thought it time to move on from my mum. We saw each other every other weekend. It was tough to deal with and I had my fair share of teen angst. It took sometime for me to understand that there’s no point being in a relationship when it doesn’t make you happy. I am lucky to be in the 30% that have a great relationship with my father. He’s always been there for me with emotional support no matter what and I am forever grateful for this.
I wanted to do something for him to say thanks, so I thought what could be a better way to do this than dedicate a book to him and also raise awareness for male depression at the same time.
The beginnings of my book is currently in the form of a blog and can be seen at
My Dad’s My Mate.
My Dad’s My Mate is an ongoing series of portraits depicting fathers and sons celebrating their relationship. My aim is to raise the awareness of depression and related illness in Australia by capturing and sharing the experiences and insights of Australian men and their fathers.
Depression and related illnesses, such as alcoholism, gambling and violence are all too common in this day and age and must be taken seriously.