INTRODUCING Solutions for Men Supporting Men - Changing Lives A unique service tailored for men

1. INTRODUCING Solutions for Men Supporting Men - Changing Lives A unique service tailored for men Counselling – Psychological Therapy – Mental Health Support

2. INTRODUCING Solutions for Men Supporting Men - Changing Lives A not-for profit service provided by the Australian Institute of Male Health and Studies

3. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives Some facts: In Australia (2008) total deaths by suicide were 2,191. Of these 1,710 deaths (78%) were male, with the highest rate being for males aged 40-44* Alcohol intoxication (compared with abstinence) increases suicide risk by up to 90 times** Suicide is difficult to predict, potentially catastrophic in outcome, yet preventable. *ABS, 2008, Catalogue 3303.0, 2010; DOHA, 2010. **Sher, L., 2006.

4. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives Some facts: In many rural and remote areas no services are available to cater for men Where counselling and mental health support services do exist, often they don’t cater well for men* Men are significantly less likely to use mainstream services than women* *Woods, M., 2001; Tudiver, F. &Talbot, Y., 1999; NSW Department of Health, 2000; Buckley, D. & Lower, T., 2002; RACGP, 2006; Smith, J., Braunack-Mayer, A. & Wittert, G., 2006; Ashfield, J., 2010.

5. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives We believe that: Prevention is always better than cure Often, if men receive early assistance with personal or relationship problems, they can be ‘nipped in the bud’ The same is often true of mental health problems and the first signs of mental disorder

6. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives We believe that: Men deserve to have access to a counsellor, therapist, or mental health support professional that has the specialised knowledge and skill to appreciate their issues and experience from a uniquely male perspective

7. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives What do men seek help with? - Life changes/major life transitions - Worries about children - To talk something through - Coping with separation/divorce - Coping with a change in health - Often feeling angry - Parenting - Mental health support - Stress - Obsessional thinking - Feeling powerless/trapped - Sexual problems - Grief - Problem with alcohol

8. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives What do men seek help with? - Anxiety - Workplace conflict/problems - Experiencing panic - Marital or relationship issues - Depression - Worried about a friend/partner - Sleep problems - Need help with problem solving - The effects of a traumatic experience - Problems arising from Defence Force experiences - Having suicidal thoughts - Just need a ‘sounding board’

9. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives Our practitioners: All are registered with either the: Australian Psychological Society, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, the Australian Association of Social Workers (or another approved professional body), and have also been assessed and accredited under our ownclinical accreditation program(AIMHS AC).

10. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives What if a man’s partner/wife also needs counselling? We provide counselling and therapy to female partners/wives as well; and we do this with the same professional dedication and concern as for our male clients. The option to have appointments with a female counsellor/therapist can also be arranged if requested.

11. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives We also cater for young males We provide counselling, therapy, and mental health support to young males. In our experience, young males often get to the point of no longer accepting regular parenting, or need a ‘listening ear’ or assistance beyond what parents can provide. We can offer both counselling and mentoring support.

12. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives Our service will become available in 2011 To begin with it will be offered in: • Adelaide • Port Pirie • Coober Pedy • Clare

13. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives How can your organisation help? Solutions for Men is a not-for profit service We need you to help us by purchasing (or raising funds to purchase) counselling/therapy sessions Whenever possible we will charge clients the full sessional rate needed to cover the cost of our practitioners time and expenses

14. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives How can your organisation help? Since we only employ fully qualified and experienced practitioners, each session costs $120 When men can’t afford the cost of sessions, we want to be able to offer them subsidised sessions (using a sliding income scale to assess their capacity to pay)

15. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives How can your organisation help? 5 sessions can potentially turn a man’s (or young man’s) life around = $600 A lot can be accomplished in 5 sessions. You’ll be able to make a remarkable difference to a man’s life

16. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives How can your organisation help? 5 sessions cost = $600 20 sessions cost = $2400 40 sessions cost = $4800 80 sessions cost = $9,600 160 sessions cost = $19,200 320 sessions cost = $38,400

17. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives How can your organisation help? We invite you to consider three options: • One-off support for a set number of sessions • Fixed period sponsorship of a two, three or four year period - funding a set number of sessions • Ongoing sponsorship - funding a set number of sessions

18. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives How we’ll recognise your support: • By acknowledging one-off support for a twelve month duration on our website, and in any materials advertising this service • By acknowledging ongoing sponsorship (for its duration) in the same ways

19. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives Contact us about the level of support you can give: Email: info@aimhs.com.au Telephone: 08 7324 1901

20. Solutions for MenSupporting Men - Changing Lives References ABS, 2008, Catalogue 3303.0, 2010; DOHA, 2010. Ashfield, J. (2010) Doing psychotherapy with men: practicing ethical counselling and psychotherapywith men (South Australia: Peacock Publications). Buckley, D. & Lower, T. (2002) Factors influencing the utilisation of health services by rural men. (In: Australian health review. Vol.25, No. 2). New South Wales. Department of Health. (2000) The health of the people of New South Wales – report of the Chief Health Officer. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2006) Position statement on the role of general practitioners in delivering healthcare to Australian men. (South Melbourne: RACGP) Smith, J., Braunack-Mayer, A. & Wittert, G., 2006. What do we know about men's help-seeking and health service use? in Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.184, No. 2, pp. 81- 83. Sher, L. (2006) Alcohol consumption and suicide. (In: QJM: an international journal of medicine. Vol. 99, No. 1, pp. 57-61) Tudiver, F. & Talbot, Y. (1999) Why don’t men seek help? Family physicians’ perspectives on help-seeking behaviours in men. (In: Journal of family practice. Vol. 48, No. 1). Woods, M. (2001) Men’s use of GP services. (New South Wales Public Health Bulletin, Vol. 12, No. 12).