Make Time For Mates this Christmas
As the new campaign from Suicide Prevention Australia highlights, holiday celebrations can be a stressful period for many blokes.
Separated dads, men lacking a social network, older males grappling with solitude and advancing health issues, men facing financial difficulties - the festive season has a way of highlighting an already challenging situation.
Suicide Prevention Australia's festive season campaign.
“Did you know separated dads, and separated men in general, are amongst those most at risk of suicide each year in Australia?” says Dads in Distress, who provide a wide range of support services for separated dads.
“And Christmas without the kids, well that’s a special kind of hurt that's hardest for many.”
Dads in Distress has developed a social media graphic that they hope will be shared far and wide, reminding men where they can get help on Christmas day, and options for connecting with other blokes and services.
Download the DIDs Christmas Day 2022 graphic
Those living in Heatherbrae, in the Hunter region of NSW, are invited to attend a free Dads In Distress luncheon from 1-4pm.
A number of men’s health organisations across Australia are keeping the doors open for new mates and old to get together across Christmas and into the New Year.
Right Mate, based in Geelong 75km southwest of Melbourne, holds many events in its support of men’s mental health, including regular Man Walks. On December 24, they will gather for a Geelong Christmas Walk with family and friends, the only proviso being people wear something Christmassy.
The Older Men’s Network, which operates out of Toowomba in Queensland, support men 50 and over with mental health and wellbeing matters, their driving aim being to ‘banish isolation and loneliness.’
TOMNET is hoping to see local men attend one or more of its Xmas Meetings at Lake Annand from 9.30am: on 28 December and 4 January (the first meeting was 21 December). No dress ups required, but those who have them are encouraged to bring their dog!
Find out more: https://www.amhf.org.au/tomnet_xmas_meetings
Grab Life By the Balls also specialises in getting men together for a chin wag and grub, with pre-New Year events coming up at Peregian Beach (Qld), Rockhampton (Qld), Mooloolaba (Qld), Warrnambool (Vic), Forest Glen (Qld), and Caloundra (Qld). Keep up to date with the latest schedule here.
Most people are familiar with the popular Sydney beach destination, Bondi, but did you know the surf club runs a fully catered Christmas lunch for people in need of some company?
Our friends at Mentoring Men are promoting the lunch, which shares their vision that ‘No Man Walks Alone.’
Check out what’s coming up in Men’s Health, including important dates for 2023:
- Roses in The Ocean’s Lived Experience of Suicide Summit (Hobart, 9-10 March)
- Men’s Health Week, starting 12 June
- Naidoc Week on 2 July and the theme ‘For Our Elders'
- International Men’s Day, 19 November
You can list your event on the AMHF calendar, or email [email protected] if you need assistance.