Projects Update – September 2016

Men’s Mental Health in Regional Western Australia Needs Analysis

Our research project, in partnership with the University of Western Australia, to provide us with a profile of men’s health in regional Western Australia is in its final drafting stage.

The purpose of the report is to both provide a better understanding to the sector on the state of men’s health in rural, regional and non-metropolitan Western Australia in comparison to counterparts in the urban and metropolitan areas of the state, and to offer recommendations based on the interpretations of the results collected.

Initial findings and results has found a disparity in the health and wellbeing of men located in non-metropolitan areas in comparison with counterparts in metropolitan WA with links found between the outcomes and the lack of provision of health services in these areas, as well as various other determinants of poor health across geographical, social and cultural fields.

We look forward to sharing the whole report as soon as possible.

Men’s Health and Wellbeing Service Directories

We have not had much luck with finding funding for creating an App version of the Blokes’ Book to date. However, we have an application in with Healthway and hope for a positive outcome so we can progress with this goal.

Nevertheless, we have finished our updates of both the Bloke’s Book and Mooditj Marmum service directories. They are going to print and will be ready for distribution over the coming weeks.

Members receive directory discounts so contact us at admin@menshealthwa.org.au if you want to put an order in.

Finally, we are working on an exciting partnership opportunity to produce the youth edition of our directories. Once we have this in place, production will commence and we will share more detail when we can.

Men’s Health and Wellbeing Symposium

The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Symposium is designed to bring the men’s health and wellbeing community services sector together in an information exchange and professional development environment.

We are seeking Lotterywest support for the Symposium. There process is taking somewhat longer than anticipated – however, we have had some positive indications that they are looking at ways they can provide at least some financial support to us which is great.

We are now looking at a February 2017 date for hosting this event.  We will be sending a “Save the Date” as soon as we hear back from Lotterywest on the extent to which they can fund the event.

Member’s Forum 2016

Thanks to all of our members who attended the Forum in July.

Some great discussions were had where we were able to:

• Share our strategic direction and projects with attending members;
• Seek input into the priorities and content of a future WA Health Policy;
• Discuss the needs and priorities of the sector; and
• Collaborate on the topics and content of position statements we are producing on key men’s health and wellbeing issues. We look forward to sharing and seeking further input on these as they are produced.

We also look forward to delivering a similar Member’s event in 2017 – only bigger and better.