Men’s Health Week in Gawler concluded with resounding success as the two events brought community members together to shine a spotlight on men’s health and well-being.
Last week’s activities, centred at The Salvation Army’s Gawler Riverside Centre, were part of an Australia wide initiative to encourage healthy living and raise awareness about preventable health issues affecting men and boys.
State Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, attended both events and was impressed by the openness and enthusiasm shown in the sessions, and the maturity displayed by participating students.
“The young men’s eagerness to engage and share was a highlight as they demonstrated wisdom far beyond their years, giving us great hope for the future,” Mr Piccolo said.
“It was a breath of fresh air to hear their views and personal challenges, and to have experts and mature members of our community to bounce back ideas and other ways to tackle certain situations in life.”
The Youth Activity session, spearheaded by Luke Di Sessa from Good Better Best Men, was a vibrant group discussion where senior students joined with adults in the community to explore mental health topics and lived experiences to forge strong bonds and gain critical life skills.
Mr Di Sessa said, “Having a safe place to speak about what is happening for men amongst their peers allows them to take responsibility for their own actions, understand what triggers their behaviours, make their own commitments of how to change their behaviour and also gives men an avenue for support and accountability amongst their peers.”
Having a safe place to speak about what is happening for men amongst their peers allows them(me) to take responsibility for their own actions, understand what triggers their behaviours, make their own commitments of how to change their behaviour and also give men an avenue for support and accountability amongst their peers.
The subsequent public talk on Moral Injury, led by University of Adelaide Ethics Expert Dr David Hunter, explored the challenges of, and solutions to, aligning personal actions with ethics.
Mr Piccolo highlighted the significance of these events in fostering a supportive community, thanking both Dr Hunter and Mr Di Sessa for their time.
“It’s imperative that we continue these conversations and actions beyond just a week,” Mr Piccolo said.
“There is a lot of work being done among our local groups and businesses to create a healthier community that values mental well-being as well as physical health; this work helps people feel more comfortable opening up about their health and seeking support.”