Men's Health Week 13-19 June 2011

Celebrating Men’s Health Week (MHW) each year is one of the best ways of recognising and building on the strengths, resourcefulness, determination and wisdom of Australian men in their efforts to build healthy environments, often in the face of significant adversity, disadvantage and neglect. It is also a time to raise community awareness about the still poor state of men’s health and wellbeing in Australia today.

There are many factors impacting on the physical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual health of all Australian men and boys – changing social and economic roles and loss of identity; changing notions of men’s roles in society and families; relationship breakdown; racism; homophobia; negative attitudes towards disability; a propensity to specific life threatening diseases and injury; mental health issues including depression, anxiety and suicide; unemployment, low wages, working patterns and hours, fathering and the issues of separated fathers; as well as services which are lacking in responsiveness to men’s health and wellbeing needs.

We hope that each year MHW will stimulate a new level of interest in the area of men’s health and wellbeing and encourage the development of more male friendly services, programs and resources. We also hope that it will encourage increasing numbers of men and boys to value their health and wellbeing as an important first step to them developing more effective ways of taking care of themselves.

MHW has become an annual event celebrated internationally, since 2002, and we invite more organisations and individuals to become involved and build the week into an awareness event of major importance.

To make a difference, men’s health work must be local as well as national and international and aimed at the widest possible range of men and your involvement in this work is crucial.

Visit the website to find out more and participate in organised events.

Specific information to help men beat the baby blues and overcome depression can be found at www.postpartummen.com.

Information for our local WA men:

From the Heart WA would like to acknowledge the men in our communities for the continued support they provide to women & children in their lives. It is crucial for men to review their health now and again, to maintain their energy and positive wellbeing. Men often sit back in the shadows & take on the difficulties of parenthood in silence. As part of From the Heart WAs future projects, raising awareness of men’s health & wellbeing will go hand in hand with the Perinatal Mental Health support which we offer to communities across Perth Metropolitan.

Ongoing social and medical research highlights the ‘Importance of Dads involvement during the early years of a child’s life’. Men play a large role in parenthood and early years bonding and for this reason we would like to thank men and remind them of the importance to look after their health and wellbeing.

The following information days are taking place this weekend for men:

Albany:

All week - Men's Resource Centre, Albany
Talk Tackle Expo
Free Pitstop Health Checks between 9.30am-4.00pm.
65 Serpentine Road, Albany
Tel: (08) 9841 4777

Fremantle:

During the week - Fremantle Shed Press coverage
The Freo Men’s Shed will be profiled in the West Australian during the week in a special segment about men’s health and wellbeing.
www.fremanshed.org/

Midland:

Saturday 18 June - TBC Health Checks,
Men's Health checks taking place in four Bunnings stores during Men's Health Week.
Health Checks being sponsored by HBF. Melanoma WA also present at each event.
Events being held in Midland - Saturday 18th, between 8.30–11.30am

Saturday 18 June Men's Advisory Network
'Men in Black' Ball Created to increase awareness of men's mental health. This year's ball is being organised to raise funds for MAN.

Saturday 18 June Men's Advisory Network
"The Men", a play, there will be a special Men's Health Week preview of the new play "The Men" at Community Centre Northbridge Plaza at 8pm on Sat 18 June.
Phone (08)9218 8044 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

For general men’s advice regarding perinatal mental health, take a look on Ngala’s website: http://www.ngala.com.au/