Men are told to speak up and encouraged to reach out for support, yet when we do there is often one barrier after another that prevents us from getting the help we need.
Concerns about confidentiality, limited opening hours, long wait times, high or ongoing financial costs plus fears about being judged by others are common themes men report as preventing them from taking action.
Seeking a hand to better manage his own depression, anxiety and PTSD, Terry Cornick, the founder of Australian charity Mr Perfect, regularly found himself sitting in cold and clinical health settings that were not welcoming or male friendly.
In stark contrast, it was sitting around talking with mates after organising a kick around on the soccer pitch where Terry found the kind of support he was seeking. Somewhere he could speak openly about his challenges without judgement and without someone trying to offer advice or suggest ways of fixing things.
Recognising how valuable this time was for him and his mates, Terry made it a regular catch up and put an open invitation out for other men to come along, he added some BBQ into the mix and with a commitment to making sure no man was left behind, Mr Perfect was up and running.
More than a BBQ, Mr Perfect provides men in communities around Australia with the opportunity to come together, share stories and build new friendships. It is not a crisis support, coaching service or place for advice, it is simply a spot away from those cold and clinical spaces where men can find a sense of community, understanding and camaraderie.
For men in North West Tasmania wanting to connect with the Mr Perfect initiative, there is a free BBQ happening on most weekends with locations between Port Sorell and Wynyard. We also have monthly BBQ’s hosted by local volunteers in Ulverstone, Devonport and Sheffield.
Maybe we don’t need to spend millions of dollars on new health hubs that whilst well intended, have proven difficult for men to walk through those doors.
Perhaps the pathway to support is simply a meaningful conversation around the BBQ where you feel like someone is listening and understands.
By Greg Smith – Men Care Too
