Men's Health and Wellbeing resources

Sometimes it’s not easy to see when our mates are not travelling so well. You might be noticing small changes or even just getting a feeling something is up.

So if you notice, what can you do to help? What are some ways I can talk to them?

Check out this article from Movember “Spot a Bro Who’s Feeling Low” Movember - Men's Health

It talks about the signs we might notice in someone who might be struggling and how to have a convo. Check it out.

Still concerned about how to talk with a friend? Want to talk about your own mental health?

Men’s Health & Wellbeing Here at La Trobe

La Trobe University’s Men’s Wellbeing service is designed to provide dedicated support, information, and opportunities for connection for the men of Latrobe.

Counselling tailored specifically for men. Support is tailored specifically to guys interested in looking after their mental health, men’s related issues or for guys that have a preference to see a male counsellor. Counselling is relaxed, confidential and tailored specifically for you and what you want to achieve.

The Men’s wellbeing counsellor is available via for in person or sessions via Zoom. To make an appointment:

Use our La Trobe University Crisis Line for Out-of-Hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support. Phone 1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100. This service operates 5pm-9am on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and public holidays.

Cheers,

Jason Campbell

Senior Coordinator of Men’s Wellbeing

Testicular cancer is the most prevalent cancers for young men in Australia. When caught early it is highly treatable and curable.  But according to Movember 62% of young guys are not aware of this or how to check themselves out.

The Movember organisation has some great information on this important men’s health issues and how to get into a habit of “checking your pair” Movember - Men's Health - Testicular Cancer Information is designed to give guys greater awareness and control over their health and wellbeing.

There are also some great resources for guys who are experiencing testicular cancer themselves or who are supporting someone they know with this diagnosis. If you want to find out some more information check out Movember - Nuts & Bolts - Tackle Testicular Cancer

Men’s Health and Wellbeing here at La Trobe

La Trobe University’s Men’s Health & Wellbeing service is designed to provide support, counselling and men’s health related information for the men of La Trobe.

More information:

Read more on our Men’s Wellbeing program 

The Men’s wellbeing counsellor is available for a chat. Make an appointment in person or  for a Zoom session at a time that suits you

Use our La Trobe University Crisis Line for Out-of-Hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support. Phone 1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100. This service operates 5pm-9am on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and public holidays.

The importance of men’s mental health has thankfully been gaining more attention in recent years. More men and women are stepping up to take on the challenge to tackle the troubling statistics of suicide among men aged 18-44 and setting out to do something about it.

The ABC series “Man Up” is a story of Gus Worland who is shining the light on men’s wellbeing and seeking to “break the silence on the biggest issue men face in Australia today”. Gus goes on a mission to uncover what is behind the suicide rate in young men, discover some solutions and to look into some ways men are helping each other out around the nation.

You can check out the three-part series on the  Man Up website. While you are there check out some of the articles and resources on men’s health and wellbeing.

Support for the Men of La Trobe

La Trobe University’s Men’s Wellbeing service is designed to provide dedicated support, information, and opportunities for connection for the men of Latrobe. Services include:

Counselling tailored specifically for men. Yep, believe it or not, guys do indeed seek counselling. The reasons for signing up counselling, and the support received, is as individual as the men we see. Counselling is tailored specifically to guys interested in looking after their mental health, men’s related issues or for guys that have a preference to see a male counsellor. Sessions are relaxed, confidential and tailored specifically for you and what you want to achieve.

The Men’s wellbeing counsellor is available for in-person sessions or via Zoom. Make a Men's Wellbeing appointment.

If you are going through a tough time and need some more immediate support

Contact our La Trobe University Crisis Line for Out-of-Hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support. Phone 1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100. This service operates 5pm-9am on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and public holidays.

Alternatively, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14, Men’s line: 1300 78 9978 or in an emergency please contact 000

Its not always easy...

We understand that sometimes men can find it challenging to seek out support. We know there are often beliefs we inherit as men that we need to be independent, to be strong and sort things out for ourselves.

Jason Campbell, Senior coordinator of Men’s wellbeing here at La Trobe, reminds us that “independence and self-reliance are great qualities in the right circumstances, but they sometimes don’t help guys when they are struggling”.

“Thankfully men are learning to focus on their mental health and wellbeing and to consider that seeking support is also a sign of strength”.  Jason notes “men are also wanting to have more conversations to help other men and that is a big part of the Men’s Wellbeing program”.

Support for the Men of La Trobe

La Trobe University’s Men’s Wellbeing service is designed to provide dedicated support, information, and opportunities for connection for the men of Latrobe. Services include:

• Counselling tailored specifically for men. Yes, guys do seek counselling! “The reasons for seeking counselling and the support received is as individual as the men we see” Jason said. Support is tailored specifically to guys interested in looking after their mental health, men’s related issues or for guys that have a preference to see a male counsellor. Counselling is relaxed, confidential and tailored specifically for you and what you want to achieve.
• Workshops and group sessions: We work with the group ‘Tomorrow man’ (ABC TV Series Man Up) who provide workshops on masculinity and posing the question of what it is to be a man today. These workshops are run intermittently during the year and are a great opportunity to connect with other likeminded men to continue the important conversation about men’s health.
• Men’s health and wellbeing information via “frank: the men’s wellbeing blog”. Frank has interesting information on men’s health and wellbeing, updates and soon stories from guys themselves on how they look after their mental health Frank: The Men’s Wellbeing Blog, Help and Support, La Trobe University

More information:

The Men’s wellbeing counsellor is available via for in person or sessions via Zoom. Make a Men's Wellbeing appointment.

Use our La Trobe University Crisis Line for Out-of-Hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support. Phone 1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100. This service operates 5pm-9am on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and public holidays.

Cheers,

Jason Campbell

Senior Coordinator of Men’s Wellbeing

Lockdown 2.0 has seen the introduction of a number of restrictions that impact our regular movement. In Melbourne this includes two hours of exercise each day and a 5km limit of travel. These measures are really important and designed to reduce the COVID-19 numbers and keep our community safe. We all want that, but at the same time, it can be a bit of a downer!

In my role as Men’s Wellbeing Coordinator, I talk with guys everyday who are all finding the pandemic and lockdown to be challenging. Many are really noticing the disconnection from friends, the impact on how they feel physically and emotionally and the loss of usual outlets of keeping fit and socially connected.

But something else I am noticing and learning from the guys I see, is they are all finding ways to be creative in the time of the pandemic to look after themselves and to find ways to get the benefits of exercise to help support them at this challenging time.

Here are a few examples of things guys are doing to get exercise, look after their mental health and wellbeing, and to make the most of their two hours and 5 Km:

“I meet up with a mate at the same time every day and we go for a jog”.

I like this one as they are getting the benefit of social connection and exercise. A double whammy for good mental health.

“I explore a new area within my 5 Km radius and take the dog for a walk somewhere new”.

Another great idea. Exercise, a new and novel environment and being with the pooch are all great for mood and to take you out of your environment.

“I’ve found two parks I didn’t even know were close to me. One is great for cycling with my Dad”.

Cycling is another exercise that is brilliant for wellbeing. Finding somewhere different is even better. Check out what Mensline has to say about cycling and positive mental health.

A few other suggestions I have also heard include rediscovering Pokémon. Go, creating a home gym, using a skipping rope at home. Discovering yoga or workout videos on YouTube and creating a daily walking challenge.

While times are challenging a little curiosity and creativity brings the opportunity to find new ways to exercise and to improve our mental health or just strengthen our wellbeing.

Feel like checking in and talking over how you are travelling at this time? Our Men’s wellbeing program offers informal counselling that can be helpful if lockdown is getting you down or you just want to discuss new ways of looking after yourself:

Jason Campbell

Men’s Wellbeing Senior Coordinator

A big part of the Men’s Wellbeing program here at La Trobe are the groups and workshops we will hold throughout the year. As the Men’s Wellbeing Coordinator, I also want to support you to develop your own independent groups on campus that focus on different aspects of men’s health and wellbeing.

Recently, a new dad, and student at La Trobe, asked if there was a group on campus for students who are fathers. He was interested in the support that could come from other like-minded guys who are experiencing the same things including the challenges and changes of the parent role while studying at university.

Becoming a father is an amazing time in life with guys describing joy beyond what they ever thought possible. However, this time also brings change and sometimes we see young dads feeling a range of different things including disconnection from usual friendship groups, isolation and pressures related to their new parenting role.

So I am putting out the call. Are you a young dad who is also interested in connecting with other father’s in the La Trobe community and having a network of support of your own? Drop me a line to discuss this further at menswellbeing@latrobe.edu.au.

Here is some great information and further support on being a dad from Men’s Line and Beyond Blue.

Jason Campbell
Men’s Wellbeing Coordinator

Men’s Health Week focuses on different ways to support the health and wellbeing of the men and boys in our world. This year we turn our attention to connection and looking out for the mental health of our mates and ourselves too.  This is more important than ever in these crazy times of COVID-19 where staying healthy involves distancing ourselves when we really need to feel closer to the people we care about.

Check out Men's Health Week 2020 for more information and ideas on connection and re-connection.

This Men’s Health Week we want to acknowledge the amazing guys of ‘Tomorrow Man’ and what they do all year for men’s mental health: reinventing masculinity, disrupting stereotypes and continuing the conversation about what it is to be a man today. Tomorrow Man have run a series of workshops here at La Trobe and will be back next semester with another offering just for La Trobe students.

In the meantime, Tomorrow Man are running a virtual session in the community for Men’s Health Week on the 17 June

Welcome to the first-ever post of ‘Frank: The Men’s Wellbeing Blog’.

The purpose of Frank is to give regular updates on everything related to men’s health and wellbeing and to explore some of the issues impacting men today. We will give you the heads up on news, research, information, what’s happening here on campus, and information on groups and workshops at La Trobe as well as in the community.

In line with the Webster Dictionary definition of “Frank” (free, forthright and sincere expression), Frank is also an opportunity for you to share your own stories and to continue the conversation about men’s mental health through your lived experiences. What has got you through when times are tough?

We hope that Frank provides an opportunity for staying informed on men’s wellbeing as well as providing support and connection for male-identifying students of La Trobe.

If you would like to discuss providing a contribution to ‘Frank: The men’s wellbeing blog’ email Jason at: menswellbeing@latrobe.edu.au.