Men’s health remains one of Australia’s most urgent and under addressed public health challenges, and with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 1 in 5 experiencing anxiety the need for proactive health engagement has never been greater.
The Corowa Lions Club, in partnership with the Queen Street Corowa Medical Clinic, and the Local Health Advisory Committee, has launched a community initiative to improve men’s physical and mental health.
The program encourages men to take proactive steps toward understanding their health, seeking support early, and engaging in meaningful conversations with family, friends, and healthcare professionals.
As part of the initiative, men are invited to book a free health assessment at the Corowa Medical Clinic and complete a personalised ‘Thinking About My Health’ checklist.
All participants go into a draw to win a $500 fuel voucher.
Peter May and Stuart Whisson of the Corowa Lions Club have been leading this initiative for nine weeks to bring it to fruition.
Peter said the aim was to provoke men to take responsibility for their own mental health and well-being.
“Corowa Medical Clinic will be doing the health assessments free of charge for blokes,” Peter said.
“Some blokes put their head in the sand and want it to go away, and they're the guys that need it most.
“Older men were trained from about 16 years old that you don't talk about yourself, you don't share what's in your head; that's something you just deal with.
“You can talk about beer, cars, footy and women, but you don't share what you’re actually feeling.
“If we get 20 blokes come along and make a difference to two, it will be successful; if we get 60 blokes and make a difference to five or six, that’s better.”
Along with the free health assessment, the program provides practical tools for self-reflection and clear pathways to medical and emotional support.
Dr Ayon Guha from Corowa Medical Clinic said doctors had always believed that men's mental health was a major issue, but men don't like to talk about it.
“We have been trying to figure out ways to get them in and start the process of at least talking about it,” Dr Ayon said.
“When the Lions Club came up with this plan I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for some of these people who have been wanting to speak to someone but haven't got around to it yet.
“We’re making provisions of special appointments and quick access that we can follow up quickly to get the conversation going.
“Current data shows that mental health is one of the biggest problems, especially in regional Australia.
“I think it's about time we do something proactively to make a difference.”
12°C