Support a mate this International Men’s Day

Published 6:00am 6 November 2023

How to Help is honouring International Men’s Day with the social enterprise hosting a panel discussion about men’s mental health and how to support those who struggle on November 17 at Hip Hops Brewers.

The panelists will include It's Rocket Science founder Cran Middlecoat, Mind Flow Grow changemaker Steve Williams and Yard Empire owners Jason Cushway and Paul Barton.

How to Help founder Stacey MacMillan-White says guests can expect an afternoon of relaxation and education.

“Our guests will be treated to an afternoon where they can put themselves first, take the afternoon off and hear some amazing stories of courage and resilience from our panel of Moreton Bay locals who have experienced some tough times,” Stacey says.

“There will be a schooner voucher on arrival for our guests to try some of the incredible local beers made here in our community, and we will also have some classic pub snacks available."

There will also be raffles and a handful of stalls from local organisations, with all proceeds from the event being donated to a local men’s counselling service, Men’s Information and Support Association (MISA).

“The aim of this event is to give some attention to men’s mental health – and to continue to normalise these conversations and connect people with avenues for seeking help,” Stacey says.

“This event is an acknowledgement that mental health affects us all and if we are to fix this problem, it takes all of us. So, everyone - both men and women – are welcomed at the event.

“One thing we will be discussing is how we can create healthy habits to proactively build good, strong mental health, rather than those reactive, unhealthy coping mechanisms. We want to create a space where conversations can be started about men’s mental health, and support can be given.”

Stacey hopes the more mental health is talked about, the more it will become normalised in society.

“I’ve been asked why I, as a woman, would be hosting an event for men’s mental health; and the easiest answer is because of my husband,” Stacey explains.

“Society tells my husband that as the man, he can’t struggle. He has to be the provider. He has to be strong; and if he isn’t, he isn’t a man. I see this in his mates too; they won’t ask for help with their mental health because they don’t want to be seen as weak.

“I have also noticed over the past few years of me working in this space that men’s issues rarely get this sort of attention, and I think that should change.

“The more we make these conversations a normal part of our day, the more common it will be for someone to say ‘actually, I’m not ok right now,’ and that is a great start to getting some help, or to be able to provide some support to a mate.”