Special Envoy for Men’s Health, Mr Dan Repacholi MP, will travel to Queensland this week to meet with local communities, men’s groups, researchers and frontline organisations working to improve the health and wellbeing of Aussie men and boys.
Mr Repacholi, who has visited Queensland a number of times in his role as Special Envoy, will spend the week across Brisbane and Mount Isa listening directly to local men and the organisations supporting them on the ground.
A major focus of the visit will be meeting with Men’s Sheds across Brisbane to talk about the important role they play in keeping men connected, active and engaged in their communities.
The Australian Government has continued to back Men’s Sheds because they make a real difference when it comes to mental health, social connection and preventing men from falling through the cracks.
Mr Repacholi will also visit the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland to meet with researchers and students leading groundbreaking work into brain health, dementia, motor neurone disease and mental illness.
Throughout the week, Mr Repacholi will join Federal Member for Dickson, Ali France MP, and Federal Member for Bonner, Kara Cook MP, for a series of Men’s Mental Health and Prevention roundtables and community forums.
The forums will bring together local men, community groups and service providers to discuss:
• strengthening community connection and wellbeing
• the important role Men’s Sheds play in mental health and social inclusion
• what local services are seeing on the ground and where more support is needed
On Friday, Mr Repacholi will travel to Mount Isa to meet with a range of dads groups and organisations including Man With A Pram, Dads Group and other local stakeholders supporting fathers and families across regional Queensland.
The visit is part of Mr Repacholi’s ongoing work as Special Envoy to hear directly from communities about what is working, what is not, and how the Government can better support practical local solutions that improve men’s health outcomes.
Quotes attributable to Dan Repacholi, Special Envoy for Men’s Health
“You cannot understand what blokes are going through if you stay sitting in Canberra all the time.
“That is why getting out into communities and having honest conversations with people matters.
“I’ve been to Queensland a number of times in this role because there are some bloody good organisations up here doing important work supporting men and families.
“Men’s Sheds are one of the best examples of what community connection looks like in practice.
“They are not just places to build things, they are places where blokes can yarn, check in on each other and feel connected.
“We know men are often less likely to reach out when they are struggling, so creating spaces where conversations happen naturally is incredibly important.
“I’m also really looking forward to visiting the Queensland Brain Institute and hearing more about the incredible research happening into brain health and mental illness.
“The roundtables with Ali France and Kara Cook are about hearing directly from local people about what challenges they are seeing and where governments can do better.
“Whether you are in Brisbane or Mount Isa, the message I keep hearing is the same. Connection matters and early support matters.
“We have got to keep making it easier for men to talk about their health, reach out earlier and stay connected to their communities.”