As a man of now 53 growing up I remember my father having panic attacks and him be calmed by breathing in and out of a paper bag. Panic attacks brought on by his job, his issues with alcohol and the stresses he had mostly brought on himself, but apart from the paper bag he was reduced to there were no mental health support services for him to look into. A 1980’s visit to the GP only gave more credence to the moto of harden up and get on with it, a moto that has sent many men and women down a pathway of trying to deal with their issues around mental health on their own. Today there are organisations that can indeed help with people’s mental health and help prevent men in particular heading down the pathway of isolation and destruction, but which organisation do men choose?

With the rise of social media and there be an increased need for men’s mental health organisations we have seen a number of charities come to the fore and while some have been perceived as better, or not offering what another does etc…what we actually need is a unified way forward when it comes to mental health in general. In the period 2020 to 2022, the covid years, we saw 38% of 16 – 24 year olds report mental health issues. In the 2023 to 2024 period more than 43% of all Australians experienced some kind of ongoing mental health issue and further to that, in the same period 2.8 million Australians accessed Medicare subsidised mental health services. 75% of all suicides In Australia are male. The figures on mental health for people right across the country are staggering and as much as we do indeed need some optimism in life it’s hard not to think these numbers will get worse before they get better.

While we do need a unified way forward in supporting the mental health of people one charity in particular, the Male Hug is redefining men’s mental health support. 

The Male Hug was founded by accountant and business advisor, Tony Rabah who could see first hand how men in first his professional circle and then his own private circle were struggling with their mental health. Covid didn’t do anyone any favours but it did highlight the need for more men to start thinking about how they could find the support they needed when they were struggling. Mental health continues to be a huge problem in society.

The Male Hug isn’t just reminding men to be mindful of their mental health the organisation is quite literally putting their money where their mouth is and have a phone support service called 1800 MY BUDDY with a roster of dedicated Buddies (me included) manning the phones. If someone is struggling and needs someone to talk to they can pick on their phone and call 1800 692 833. The MY BUDDY help line is there for men to call if and when they feel the pressures of life, if they’re thinking it’s all too much or they’re struggling with the way forward. The men on the other end of the phone have all struggled through their own issues and can help men get through tough times and if needed refer callers to other support networks within the Male Hug network. The Male Hug’s approach is all about education and early stage prevention rather than crisis management. Hence why talking is so important. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Putting together a charity of any kind doesn’t come cheaply and when you’re establishing a support network that includes a help line things get expensive quickly, so with the help of key partners like; The Institute of Public Accountants, BGL Corporate Solutions, Lending association, BGL, Shaw & Partners, BDO, Delmont Private Hospital and Monash University the male Hug is striving to make men’s mental health a real priority across the country.

Aside from the key partnerships that Tony and his team have built the Male Hug has two key fundraising and awareness campaigns this year.  The first is called ‘Kick a goal for mental health’ a luncheon held at the MCG on June 20th with special guests; Ray Chamberlin, Darren Berry, Dave Hughes and Billy Brownless and also featuring Male Hug ambassadors; Kevin Sheedy, Matthew Richardson, Andrew Conway and Tim Mannah with all funds raised going to the Male Hug My Buddy help line. 

The second big event for the year is called ‘Talktober’. A month long campaign that encourages men to talk to one another about their mental health and to check in on one another. Talktober is an opportunity for men to connect with one another one on one or to attend one of the events The Male Hug will run over the course of the month. One event is going to be called ‘Walk & Talk the Tan’ where men of all ages come together to simply walk around the Tan in Melbourne talking to one another about where their at and what they’re up to. An opportunity to connect with men you wouldn’t normally come into their circle and to support the Male Hug. They’ll also be the opportunity to purchase Male Hug merchandise plus the all important ‘Talktober’ lapel badge!

The opportunity for any charity is to find funding and while Tony and his team continue to pursue governments for that elusive dollar the male hug has a number of brand partnerships and opportunities for like minded organisations to get on board to support the ever growing issues around men’s mental health.

For more information on how to support the Male Hug please email….be sure to buy your tickets the the MCG event ‘Kick a goal for mental health’ and make sure you register for ‘Talktober’ to keep up to date on events around your area.

Mental health for all of us is hugely important and here’s hoping Tony and his team can help as many men as they can because right now we need them more than ever and I am so proud to help this incredible organisation.