Last week, on a hot outer South Western Sydney day, 17 men got together at Claymore.
The blokes, including five mentors, shared pizzas and cold drinks while interacting with each other.
The gathering was a Walk’n’Talk, an activity that’s part of the repertoire of Mentoring Men, a charity dedicated to helping adult men deal with life’s challenges.
But it is an important part, and after the success at Claymore another is being planned for Narellan.
It’s no secret that men sometimes find it hard to open up and share life’s challenges.
This is where Mentoring Men comes in.
A registered Australian charity, Mentoring Men offers one-to-one mentoring for all adult men.
Their trained mentors are all volunteers who undertake a three day program that includes Lifeline’s suicide prevention program.
Mentoring Men now have more than 500 men engaged in the program Australia wide, a number that is rapidly growing.
Mentors themselves give the program a big tick.
“After participating in the course I felt like I was able to not just be a good mate, but to properly be there for him and be of valuable assistance,’’ says Ryan, who did the three day training program last year.
“Before I would have bumbled through emotional conversations in a completely inappropriate way – it would have been well meaning, but nowhere near as effective.’’
Male suicide rates are consistently higher than for females, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
In 2019, Australia lost 2,502 men and 816 females to suicide.
The 2019 statistics also pointed out that males aged between 40 and 59 are in the highest risk group.
“Our objective is that mentees will engage in the program and have access to a mentor who actively listens to them who is better skilled at identifying and responding to crisis and those at risk of suicide,’’ says a Mentoring Australia spokesperson.
Overcoming loneliness and isolation, acting on mental health issues, improving confidence and self-esteem and feeling connected with others are some of the areas Mentoring Australia programs focus on.
“In addition to our core activity of establishing and supporting one on one life mentoring relationships we also host other activities aimed at encouraging social connections between men, including men’s walk and talk events, breakfasts, forums and other social events,’’ the spokesperson said.
Life mentoring programs are provided for free, and all men are welcome at Mentoring Australia.
To find out more visit www.mentoringmen.org.au or call 1300 583 925.
