Article for Medicare Local featuring our Lounge
Men’s Health Week, being held from June 15-21, places the spotlight on men’s health and wellbeing. This year’s theme Moments in Time, recognises that every individual, family and community can find health-giving opportunities despite the many varied challenges, barriers and obstacles to better health that life puts in the way.
Gold Coast Medicare Local CEO Matt Carrodus, a consortia member in the Gold Coast Partners in Recovery mental health initiative, said while improving physical health is very important, it often goes hand in hand with good mental health.
“It can be the case that people with poor physical health may also have issues with their mental health – whether that be social isolation, substance abuse, depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses.Men are sometimes not good at communicating their thoughts or feelings, however there are a number of spaces that provide the opportunity to develop relationships that encourage this,” Matt said.
One Gold Coast organisation that aims to connect men is the 30+ member-strong Bloke’s Lounge founded by Southport’s Ian McDougall. Ian became aware of the negative effects of non-communication among males during his diverse work with the Department of Communities and then when helping establish the Men’s Shed at Labrador.
“Male mateship generally revolves around the workplace and sport or recreation. When they retire they often lose contact with both work mates and fitness,” Ian said. “Men generally do not speak to each other much about the stuff that matters: personal wellbeing, especially mental health. Here at the Gold Coast social isolation also has a big impact, with many retirees living in the confines of units.
“So I shaped this vision for a Bloke’s Lounge: a safe, friendly and welcoming place where blokes from all walks of life can socialise, make friends, share their stories and experiences and become more aware of health issues.
“The Lounge has developed into a great collection of blokes from different personal, ethnic, work, spiritual and geographical backgrounds; men with different opinions who get on well together, make few demands, enjoy socialising, offer help and assistance and who are forming strong friendships through shared activities. By getting involved many blokes have come out of their shell and I’ve watched them shake off the blues through increased physical activity and by becoming mentally engaged with other men."
To find out more about men’s health week
For a full list of services and support groups on the Gold Coast, visit the Gold Coast Medicare Local health and community services directory
Partners in Recovery provides support for individuals with prolonged mental health concerns and complex needs.
Articles about people's journeys to recovery from mental illness, by Lounge Founder Ian McDougall
Men’s Health Week, being held from June 15-21, places the spotlight on men’s health and wellbeing. This year’s theme Moments in Time, recognises that every individual, family and community can find health-giving opportunities despite the many varied challenges, barriers and obstacles to better health that life puts in the way.
Gold Coast Medicare Local CEO Matt Carrodus, a consortia member in the Gold Coast Partners in Recovery mental health initiative, said while improving physical health is very important, it often goes hand in hand with good mental health.
“It can be the case that people with poor physical health may also have issues with their mental health – whether that be social isolation, substance abuse, depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses.Men are sometimes not good at communicating their thoughts or feelings, however there are a number of spaces that provide the opportunity to develop relationships that encourage this,” Matt said.
One Gold Coast organisation that aims to connect men is the 30+ member-strong Bloke’s Lounge founded by Southport’s Ian McDougall. Ian became aware of the negative effects of non-communication among males during his diverse work with the Department of Communities and then when helping establish the Men’s Shed at Labrador.
“Male mateship generally revolves around the workplace and sport or recreation. When they retire they often lose contact with both work mates and fitness,” Ian said. “Men generally do not speak to each other much about the stuff that matters: personal wellbeing, especially mental health. Here at the Gold Coast social isolation also has a big impact, with many retirees living in the confines of units.
“So I shaped this vision for a Bloke’s Lounge: a safe, friendly and welcoming place where blokes from all walks of life can socialise, make friends, share their stories and experiences and become more aware of health issues.
“The Lounge has developed into a great collection of blokes from different personal, ethnic, work, spiritual and geographical backgrounds; men with different opinions who get on well together, make few demands, enjoy socialising, offer help and assistance and who are forming strong friendships through shared activities. By getting involved many blokes have come out of their shell and I’ve watched them shake off the blues through increased physical activity and by becoming mentally engaged with other men."
To find out more about men’s health week
For a full list of services and support groups on the Gold Coast, visit the Gold Coast Medicare Local health and community services directory
Partners in Recovery provides support for individuals with prolonged mental health concerns and complex needs.
Articles about people's journeys to recovery from mental illness, by Lounge Founder Ian McDougall
MEN'S HEALTH WEEK - FRIDAY FLYER ARTICLE
Raising awareness about men’s health on the Gold Coast
Men’s Health Week, being held from June 15-21, places the spotlight on men’s health and wellbeing. This year’s theme Moments in Time, recognises that every individual, family and community can find health-giving opportunities despite the many varied challenges, barriers and obstacles to better health that life puts in the way.
The Gold Coast Partners in Recovery mental health initiative is promoting good physical and mental health. Social isolation, substance abuse, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues affecting men can be compounded by a reluctance to communicate and seek help. However, there are many local opportunities to develop new supportive relationships. This includes the Blokes Lounge, founded by Ian McDougall.
“I shaped this vision for a Bloke’s Lounge: a safe, friendly and welcoming place where blokes from all walks of life can socialise, make friends, share their stories and experiences and become more aware of health issues,” Ian said.
For a full list of services and support groups on the Gold Coast, visit the Gold Coast Medicare Local health and community services directory
To find out more about the Blokes Lounge
To find out more about men’s health week
Partners in Recovery provides support for individuals with prolonged mental health concerns and complex needs.
Raising awareness about men’s health on the Gold Coast
Men’s Health Week, being held from June 15-21, places the spotlight on men’s health and wellbeing. This year’s theme Moments in Time, recognises that every individual, family and community can find health-giving opportunities despite the many varied challenges, barriers and obstacles to better health that life puts in the way.
The Gold Coast Partners in Recovery mental health initiative is promoting good physical and mental health. Social isolation, substance abuse, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues affecting men can be compounded by a reluctance to communicate and seek help. However, there are many local opportunities to develop new supportive relationships. This includes the Blokes Lounge, founded by Ian McDougall.
“I shaped this vision for a Bloke’s Lounge: a safe, friendly and welcoming place where blokes from all walks of life can socialise, make friends, share their stories and experiences and become more aware of health issues,” Ian said.
For a full list of services and support groups on the Gold Coast, visit the Gold Coast Medicare Local health and community services directory
To find out more about the Blokes Lounge
To find out more about men’s health week
Partners in Recovery provides support for individuals with prolonged mental health concerns and complex needs.
