Conference focuses on priority populations of men
The Men’s Health Connected online gathering concludes on Friday 14 May with a focus on work to improve the lives and health of diverse populations of men.
The National Men’s Health Strategy identifies nine priority populations and places a focus on targeting health interventions at men and boys across the life course through different ages and stages.
Today’s event explores work to improve the lives and health of men in diverse populations including older men, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse men and men in unpaid caring roles.
The day starts with an exploration of the challenges of aging faced by different populations of men, with a particular focus on suicide in older men and high rates of suicide in males 85 and over.
Glen Poole, CEO of the Australian Men’s Health Forum, will reflect on his recent work on the Stop Male Suicide in Older Men project delivered in the Hunter New England and Central Coast region.
He will be joined by Dr Kylie King, who has led research on suicide in older men in Australia, and President of the Victoria Men’s Sheds Association, Lindsay Oates.
Bringing a focus to the challenges faced by men in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, session two features presentations from three distinct perspectives.
Dr Michael He is Policy and Project Officer at the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA), the national peak body representing Australians from CALD background.
He is joined by Sidique Bah who launched the Multicultural Men’s Group of South Australia in October 2020 and Kudzai Nyamande of the Nokuntenda Disability Foundation.
In session 3, the focus switches to the challenges faced by male carers in Tasmania.
David Brennan, CEO of Care2Serve (formerly Carers Tasmania) brings a wealth of skills, qualifications and experience to the conversation, both professional and as a co-carer for his late mother.
Greg Smith, found of the national project Men Care Too, a carer who relocated to Tasmania from New South Wales and is a leading community advocate for men’s health in Australia.
Greg and David are joined by counsellor Michael James whose work with Care2Serve who contacts with male carers from diverse backgrounds.
The final session of the day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the intersections between the different populations of men who have featured during the event, as well as other priority populations of men and men at different stages of life.
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