A Night with Blokes: free mental health event to encourage Australind men to look ‘beyond the banter’

A Harvey mum is digging deep to open a no-holds barred conversation around men’s mental health by launching a new initiative in Australind this weekend. A Night with the Blokes of Australind is a night aimed at dismantling “outdated stereotypes” and focusing on what it means to be a man “today and tomorrow” — the ethos of the group facilitating the event. Organised by Harvey mum Brooke Chatfield, the free May 10 mental health program is a collaboration between national organisations Tomorrow Man and Gotcha4life as well as South West suicide prevention group The Barbarians. Creating a space “to explore”, the night will see men discuss real-world statistics, and highlight the ways in which they can better “look after themselves, their mates and their families”. Largely funded out of Ms Chatfield’s own pocket — with help from Gotcha4life, The Barbarians, Federal Memeber for Forrest Nola Marino and Leschenault Leisure Centre — local junior football club Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Lions have got behind the initiative and will host a sausage sizzle for those who attend. The mother of two teenage boys, Ms Chatfield said she instigated the event after noticing a lack of support for young men when they are struggling. “So much of the resources that are out in our community and available to purchase and access are targeted at girls, everything is pink and fluffy,” she said. “My work is also with boys and teens with disabilities, and I can see a big gap in this market, that I felt like I needed to fill.” After hunting for resources to encourage young men to openly discuss their mental health, Ms Chatfield said she came across Tomorrow Man and saw they could help “fill the gap”. “I have been very lucky to get the crew for Tomorrow Man to stop in Australind and facilitate this in May, and would love the blokes in our community to come along and support their mates and families,” she said. “My work is also with boys and teens with disabilities, and I can see a big gap in this market, that I felt like I needed to fill.” In support of the event Ms Marino said mental health for men and women of all ages was a crucial issue. “It’s great to see our local communities raising awareness of and focus on mental health,” she said. “The more we are OK to talk about this topic, the better chance we have of helping heal those who are injured and suffering.” A Night with the Blokes of Australind will be held at the Leschenault Leisure Centre from 6.30pm on May 10. Reservations for free tickets can be made at the Tomorrow Man website.