The Barstool Brothers program, in collaboration with the Kiama Leagues Club, is launching a free monthly brunch aimed at fostering mental health awareness and community support among men. Starting on July 13, this initiative will take place at the Cedar Cutters Sports Bar, providing a welcoming space for men to connect and discuss mental health issues.
This development is part of a broader effort within the Kiama districts to support men’s mental health through various programs and events. The monthly brunch is positioned to become a significant pillar of strength for the community. Daniel Chin, general manager of the Raising The Bar Foundation, which established the Barstool Brothers program in 2019, emphasized the importance of creating communities where individuals are aware of their mental health and that of those around them.
Building Accessible Support Networks
“We want to effectively run events that remove as many barriers as possible, and one of those is financial,” Chin stated. “It is important to have a great partner like the Kiama Leagues Club to make it possible for everyone to attend.” The partnership aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent individuals from accessing mental health support.
Madeline Battagello, marketing manager at Kiama Leagues Club, expressed the club’s commitment to engaging with community organizations like the Raising the Bar Foundation. “There are a lot of men’s health initiatives popping up, so it is at the forefront of everyone’s mind and receiving a lot of interest,” she noted.
Addressing Men’s Mental Health Challenges
The brunch initiative comes at a time when mental health issues among men are increasingly recognized as a pressing concern. According to the Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, mental ill-health remains prevalent among Australian men, with up to 25% experiencing a diagnosed mental health disorder in their lifetime and 15% within a 12-month period.
“What we want to do is put a spot out there for blokes to get together and build those connections in a bit more of a natural situation,” Chin explained. “That’s really important for us to make it as easy as possible and as accessible as possible. People hear mental health sometimes and can get quite intimidated.”
The brunch aims to create a casual environment where men can feel comfortable discussing mental health, reducing the stigma often associated with these conversations. Battagello added, “Mental health can be quite a pressing issue for people who work crazy hours and shifts, and we’re sort of working with how we can host that here, open it up to the community with more of their events.”
Looking Ahead
The inaugural brunch will take place on Sunday, July 13, at 10:30 am at Cedar Cutters Sports Bar, offering free coffee and bacon and egg rolls to attendees. This initiative is expected to pave the way for more community-driven mental health support events in the region.
For more information, visit Kiama Leagues Club Events. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
