Several service providers in Kalgoorlie-Boulder will come together this week to provide a series of activities for Men’s Health Week and men in the community.
Hope Community Services Kalgoorlie justice and community manager Tjioe Arbiynto said the events would highlight key areas where men could focus their attention to maintain their overall health and wellbeing.
“We hope that embracing these habits can enhance our quality of life and inspire others to do the same,” he said.
Mr Arbiynto said the organisation had a man’s bush trip every three weeks, as an aspect of men’s health which often was overlooked was mental wellbeing.
“We must acknowledge that taking care of our minds is just as important as caring for our bodies and we know that men often face unique challenges and societal pressures that can impact their mental health,” he said.
“For men, it’s a bit hard for them to acknowledge that vulnerability is a big part of getting help, it’s hard for men to want to be seen as vulnerable and as a social worker, our mantra is there’s power in vulnerability.”
Suicide prevention co-ordinator Hannah Matanda said the statistics showed that out of all suicides, three out of four were men.
“We know that men die more from heart disease, from prostate cancer and the like so we understand that even as much as these issues are ongoing, men have unique challenges that are not always highlighted,” she said.
Ms Matanda said the week would provide a range of activities for men to take part in, from supporting men and families with dementia to hosting a barbecue and a golf day.
“We have tried to capture all aspects of manhood and where men meet the most.
“We want people to know that there is a joint collaborative, we want men to know that we are working together to support them. We want them to know that there are people who are actually working deliberately to support them. It’s not that one organisation is working towards it, but we are as a collective, actually working towards reaching an impact.”
Events will include a dementia friendly event, a community barbecue, a men’s bush trip, a stakeholders yarn, a golf day, a blokes day barbecue and “pit stop” check, and a talk-to-a-mate barbecue. The events will take place between June 12-18.
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