Men’s Health Week: Stories of support

That’s why being involved in sport is healthy not just for the body but also for the brain.

To celebrate Men’s Health Week, we’re sharing some stories that can help inspire your club to build a better environment for boys and men.

Youth team taking mental health by the horns

In the Victorian Mallee shire of Buloke, the giant bull mascot on the main street of Birchip reminds people what local folk are made of. But a reputation for toughness is no help when mental health starts to decline. In fact, that reputation can even get in the way.

The Buloke Youth-Led Local Drug Action Team supported a Birchip community forum that looked at busting a few myths about mental health. In particular, how sport once focused only on physical fitness but now the focus is turning just as much to mental fitness.

Guest speaker Tom Boyd, premiership-winning former AFL Western Bulldogs player, told the packed gathering and The Buloke Times how he struggled with mental health throughout his playing career.

While Birchip has also been struggling in recent tough times, the LDAT has put mental health front and centre.

Its creative list of activities includes hosting a community meal, parenting programs, a safe partying presentation and a colour fun run where joggers of all ages were pelted with powdery puffs of paint.

Sons rising up the wellbeing ladder

The Western Bulldogs AFL club knows all about overcoming that bottom-of-the-ladder feeling and the chase for the Premiership.

Now it is sharing this dogged determination with partner Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s successful Sons of the West men’s health program.

The foundation is supported by local health agencies including the Alcohol and Drug Foundation to offer at-risk men from the western suburbs and regional areas a 10-week program to make new friends and boost their wellbeing.

The group meets weekly for education sessions about life skills.  Presentations from experts include subjects like nutrition, reducing alcohol harm, mental health, gender equity and masculinity.

Then they break out into a sports and light fitness session, including exercises and games.

Take a look at how it works and feel free to borrow some of their great ideas.

“After the first few weeks on the program, I noticed a change in my weight and the family also commented on the change in my general wellbeing. I now have regular medical checks, I’m more outgoing and reduced my weight significantly. Sons of the West changed my life for the good.” – Mike Dunne, Sons of the West participant.