THE newly appointed Federal Government representative for Men’s Health, Dan Repacholi visited Romsey and Lancefield’s men’s sheds last week to discuss the Government’s record investment of $32 million along with Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell.
Mr Repacholi lived in Romsey for a few years before he headed north to the Hunter region in New South Wales, and he was keen to get the message out that men need to get better at talking about their well-being and not delay vital health checks.
“Men’s Sheds are more than just about building things, they are about connection, community and better health outcomes for blokes,” he said.
“For too long, too many men have put off seeing a doctor or talking to someone when they’re struggling. We need to change that.
“Men’s Sheds provide a safe, familiar space where men can open up, check in with each other.”
Mental health is high on the agenda for the government and so is breaking the stigma around seeking support.
Mr Mitchell provided a record of how the record investment will make a difference.
“This investment will include $8.3 million to support another 2 years of the Men’s Shed National Shed Development Program, providing grants of up to $10,000 to individual sheds and for the AMSA [Australian Mens Shed Association] to deliver new health promotion and prevention programs,” he said.
Local grassroot investments of $20.7 million include, $7.4 million to expand Movember and the Ahead of the Game program which works alongside the AFL to help young men develop emotional resilience and the ability to seek help when they need it.
To help the Black Dog Institute research men’s health and suicide prevention, there’s $2 million available to the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing, and leaving no one behind, there’s $3 million for Healthy Male to support the delivery of Plus Paternal Initiative, a program that helps men prepare for fatherhood and supports the development of good parenting skills.