From the CEO of New Mornings, Kelly Dernehl
On Tuesday, November 19th, New Mornings hosted a successful International Men’s Day breakfast at the local café, Windows on Westella, with over 60 men and a couple of women coming together to support and raise awareness around men’s health. This event, built around the theme ‘Men’s Health Champions,’ invited the local community to come together, share a meal, and engage in vital conversations about mental health and supporting one another.
This year’s sub-theme, ‘Look out for your mates,’ focused on the importance of reaching out to the men in our lives who may be struggling, particularly those who are going through difficult times. It was a call to action for all Australians to take an active role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of men in their families, workplaces, and communities. The message is clear: men’s health is everyone’s business, and by looking out for our mates, we can each play a part in promoting better mental health.
International Men’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges men and boys face, particularly in Tasmania, where 4 out of 5 deaths by suicide are male. It also highlights the societal pressures men experience to conform to outdated stereotypes, such as “Man Up” or “Boys don’t cry.” These norms can prevent open discussions and create barriers to seeking help, making events like this one crucial for raising awareness and encouraging positive change.
Attendees were treated to an inspiring keynote address by local footy legend Max Brown, who shared insights on prioritizing mental health with his TIME, TALK, THINK, and TRANSITION framework. Brown emphasized the need to take time to rest, talk to friends, invest in thought processes, and embrace the ongoing societal transition toward better conversations about men’s health.
The event also featured Rupert Penrith, IMPACT Mentor Co-ordinator at New Mornings, and Mike Lizotte from Trauma Awareness Network Australia (TANA), who continued to foster important conversations about mental health in the community. This is just the beginning—New Mornings remains committed to supporting men’s mental health and will continue to lead these crucial conversations. For anyone needing support or more information, we encourage you to reach out today. Call or email us using the details below, or find us on Facebook or Instagram.
Visit newmornings.org.au