Topic Tuesday // Men's Mental Health and Peer Support // Tues 9th March, 7:00-8:30PM AEDT

Hey @Adge I remember you mentioned last fortnight you might be interested in this discussion. Just tagging you in case you are interested in jumping in or following along

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@Former-Member wrote:

...I didn't know that Peer Support existed before I became a volunteer at various mental health organisations. I really want more people to know about it because I've found it really beneficial for my own mental health to become a Peer Worker, and the people I have supported throughout my career have said Peer support really helped them in ways that other services can't.

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I can defintiely relate to this! Being a peer support worker gave me such a strong sense of meaning and purpose, and hearing others stories gave me so many strategies I could bring into my life too.

It sounds like this is exactly what the Banksia Project does; empowers peers to support each other, but also provide the skills and training for men who want to take that next step to be a support to their communities. A lot like our amazing forums community!

@BanksiaProject You’ve mentioned that from your living and working experiences that you have been involved in designing services around the challenges of men, would you be able to elaborate a bit more on what some of the challenges that the Banksia Projects helps to address/provide support for?

Thanks for the question @Daisydreamer.

Firstly, we are dedicated to ensuring that our Growth Rooms do not represent a 'one size fits all' model. Whilst we have a framework, some safety measures and guidance for Participants and Facilitators, our programs are designed so that individuals from all walks of life can take the learnings and apply them to their own circumstances.

We do however see some common themes amongst men who are struggling that we try to address:

- Lack of mental health literacy - we provide educational modules (designed by clinicians) to pass on effective skills around mental health and wellbeing. A "Gym for the Mind" - places to get mentally fit and resilient, ideally before crisis.

- Social Isolation - Our Growth Rooms help men 'find their tribe'. A team of men who are supporting them authentically, for who they truly are, through life's ups and downs.

- Lack of authenticity - Growth Rooms are spaces for men to express whatever they are feeling without judgement. We want them to be able to be honest and open, without fear of judgement.

- Practice!! We want men to practice all of these things; skills, supporting others, authenticity and self-awareness.

Sorry for the long-winded response, but you asked!

You're so right @outlander !

Partners, friends, family members, colleagues, community! We can all play a role - we don't need to be the solution, but if we can get them to the appropriate professional solution, we have supported them in the best way possible!

@BanksiaProject “Gym for the mind” is a good way to think about early intervention and prevention services! And I love the 'Find your tribe' approach- connection and community are such important foundations for wellbeing.

Something we hear a lot is loneliness, and feeling like there isn't a place to belong- I love that The Banksia Project promotes connection.

Question 4: How is the Banksia Project different from other services?

@outlander thank you for the tag! Just for those who dont know I have 3 kidult males each with varying degrees of mental illness. My eldest I believe is currently having a bout of mania and he is overseas which is a huge worry to me.

Welcome @Bunniekins

Thank you for sharing. Knowing your son is struggling and is overseas must be so worrying for you.

Rosie93

@ArraDreaming I was thinking of your recent thread yesterday and thought you might be interested in The Banksia Project too 🙂 Just tagging you in case you are interested in reading back through this chat

Question 4: How is the Banksia Project different from other services?

Our services provide an open, judgement-free, safe environment for men to come together as often as they need to face life’s challenges. We work in the early intervention stage of mental health, so this means we can work together with men on anything they may face on a day to day basis.

We also ensure our programs are delivered by local community members. When we launch our programs in new communities (ie. Rural locations), we aren't looking to just 'provide a service'. We're looking to train the community members and guide them so that they can support each other. This really contributes to our peer-led, peer-run model. It is relevant, sensitive and appropriate!