Male mental health matters
Mentoring Men and JewishCare have formed a partnership to improve awareness and support to the mental wellbeing of men of all ages through free, positive, and supportive male one-to-one life mentoring.
“The collaboration is being launched through a ‘Male Mental Health Matters’ campaign that aims to drive awareness of the benefits of mentoring on mental wellbeing, while also encouraging men to sign up to our ‘metwork’ as mentors or mentees,” says JewishCare CEO, Gary Groves.
The mentoring program aims to provide the support local men need to achieve optimum mental wellbeing, defined by the World Health Organization’s as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
According to the latest Ten to Men: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Male Health Report, mental ill-health remains high among Australian men with up to 25% experiencing a mental health disorder in their lifetime and 15% experiencing a disorder every year.
With one in eight men experiencing depression and one in five experiencing anxiety (BeyondBlue), men are also less likely to seek help. When mental health is left untreated, it can spiral to a crisis where men, unfortunately, make up 76% of all deaths by suicide each year (ABS 2020).
“Having trusted and valued relationships not only reduces the risk of poor mental health but also helps people recover quicker when experiencing a mental health diagnosis,” says Mentoring Men CEO, Simon Jarvis.
“Mentoring programs not only help navigate life, work and relationship goals, this program also provides a friendly ear with a local male mentor who can provide support in decision making,” says Simon.
The mentoring program makes a huge difference to the lives of those involved – both the mentee and mentor and strengthens our community.
Anyone interested in the program, join our ‘metwork’ today by contacting Mimi or visiting www.mentoringmen.org.au/jewishcare.
