The Men’s Table, a group engaging men via regular face to face discussions was one of nine grassroots organisations funded last year to help reduce the stigma of suicide and mental health.
South Western Sydney PHN funding under the department of health and aged care’s targeted regional initiatives for suicide prevention program went to initiatives that promote social connectedness, reduce loneliness and increase help seeking.
Men’s Tables (pictured) operates groups across South Western Sydney, including two in Macarthur.
These groups are a safe and inclusive environment for participants to build social support networks and further develop help seeking behaviours.
South Western Sydney PHN chief executive officer, Keith McDonald, said the grants were an important part of the multifaceted approach needed to tackle high suicide rates.
“These grants support new and established grassroots initiatives which target priority populations where they live and work, giving them greater access to supports when needed,” he said.
“We are proud to support peer approaches which really focus on reducing stigma and promote help-seeking through increased awareness of, and access to, relevant local services.
“The local grant recipients have found creative and innovative ways to bring community together and increase mental health literacy around suicide and help-seeking, all important tools for future resilience.”
One of the nine grants went to the NSW service for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors, which provides support for Assyrian and Mandaean men.
Other grants went to University of Sydney for an online hub for mental health, Mentoring Men for a community development officer, Batyr Australia to extend its programs into schools, and the Mackillop “seasons for growth’’ adult program.
Parents Beyond Break-up was another to get funding for four new weekly in-person support groups for separated men and dads in South Western Sydney.
Folkal/Ironbark’s eight-week therapeutic photography and support group was another to get funding, as was Prosper Australia’s “looking for change’’ podcast series.
