Network to support men’s mental health

AN initiative aimed at bettering men’s mental health in rural settings will soon be introduced to the region.

Later this month, representatives with the Outback Mind Foundation will lead a session on men’s mental health at Linton.

The organisation’s founder Aaron Schultz said the event is about delivering an important message.

“There’s a lot of issues in regional centres of men holding onto their emotions and not communicating,” he said. “That leads to poor mental health and potentially risk of male suicide.

“Coming from the Wimmera, I felt peaceful when I was just in the bush and connected to nature. It’s about giving people that ability to be able to switch off, and feel connected, and to self-regulate proactively rather than reactively.”

The event will feature a screening of the short documentary, Healing Men’s Minds, which premiered last year and was made in collaboration between the Outback Mind Foundation and director Stuart McKay.

“It’s a very engaging film, very understandable, and palatable,” Mr Schultz said.

“People can watch it and relate. Women can watch it as well and see their sons, husbands, or family members, and can get an awareness around what men’s mental health really is.”

While the Outback Mind Foundation was established proper in Queensland, the seeds for it were planted at Horsham, where Mr Schultz grew up.

The blueprint for the organisation’s men’s circles initiative, where groups of men regularly meet with mental health professionals and social workers, was established at the town prior to his moving interstate.

Mr Schultz said he’s keen to bring the sessions to the region.

“We want to set up an ongoing men’s circle in Linton,” he said.

“There’s already interest from a couple of guys in the community. One’s already done our facilitator training. It’d be ongoing every fortnight, and hopefully we can get a few to attend from Skipton and Beaufort.”

The session is for people aged 18 and over, and will run from 6.30pm on Wednesday 28 August at the Linton Hub.