Four men's projects funded to prevent male suicide
Four national men's health projects have been awarded a total of $17.5m over three years as part of the Federal Government's $114 million National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP).
Mates In Construction and the OzHelp Foundation, who have previously been funded under the program are joined by Parents Beyond Up and The Men's Table, who are receiving National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP) for the first time.
The announcement delivers on a ministerial commitment to fund male suicide prevention programs made at a round table event with Government minister, David Coleman MP, hosted by the Australian Men's Health Forum in the run up to Men’s Health Week last year (14-20 June 2021).
READ: AMHF secures Ministerial commitment to fund male suicide prevention
Glen Poole, CEO of the Australia Men's Health Forum, said:
"We are delighted to see four of our member organisations funded to continue and expand the vital work they do to improve men's mental health and prevent male suicide.
"We have been closely monitoring suicide prevention funding in recent years and highlighted the fact that while men account for 3 in 4 suicides in Australia, up to 4 in 5 clients of Government-funded suicide prevention services are women.
"In particular, we have been calling on Government to provide funding for grassroots and peer-led services, run by men for men. With this in mind, we are particularly pleased to see national suicide prevention funding targeted at The Men's Table and the Dads In Distress Support Services run by Parents Beyond Breakup, for the first time."
"We are equally pleased to see the continued Government support being given to Mates In Construction and the OzHelp Foundation.
"We welcome this positive step forward and will continue to work with the new Minister for Health in the next parliament to make the case for placing a bigger focus on tackling the problem of male suicide".
READ: Funding Men's Health Report highlights gaps in tackling male suicide
The $17.5m funding, which runs from 2022-2025, has been allocated as follows.
Mates in Construction will receive $8 million to deliver the MATES Program, which provides education in male-dominated workforces on the origins of suicidal distress, the value of peer support and avenues for seeking help.
The OzHelp Foundation will receive $5.7 million to use lived experience to inform early intervention and wellbeing support programs.
The Men’s Table program will receive $1.9 million to expand their services. The Men’s Table takes a preventive approach, addressing social determinants of suicide including social isolation and loneliness by fostering meaningful connection in a confidential and non-judgemental environment.
Parents Beyond Breakup will receive $1.92 million to deliver evidence-based male suicide prevention support services to separated dads who are at a heightened risk of suicide.
The funding announcement was made on the website of Greg Hunt MP, who will be stepping down from his position of Minister for Health after the forthcoming federal election.