The Minns Labor Government is investing nearly $1.4 million to enhance men’s mental health and prevent suicides, with expanded funding awarded to 34 grassroots organisations to deliver targeted community-led programs for men across the state.
The Men's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Small Grants Program range from $5,000 to $50,000 and will help community and grassroots organisations deliver targeted mental health and suicide prevention initiatives for men and boys.
The projects funded have a focus on priority populations including Aboriginal men, boys and young adult men, older men, men living with a disability, men living in rural and remote areas, and GBTQ+ men.
In the Blue Mountains almost $100,000 has been allocated to two programs focussing on two men’s health projects - Shared Reading and Belong Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said:
“I am so proud that our government has allocated a total of $90,800 to two men’s health projects in the Mountains, to the groups, Shared Reading and Belong Blue Mountains.
“This investment in the health and well-being of men in our community is vital if we are to tackle the very real issues around suicide.
“I am so pleased that we can help through this funding to also reduce issues like social isolation and know this will help build, and strengthen, our community.
“Through these grants Belong Blue Mountains will be able to expand their coffee groups across the Mountains to strengthen social connection for older men who feel disconnected from the community and bring in support from a clinician. This clinician will bring to the groups a health and well-being focus through educational information, resources, and guided discussion.”
Ms Doyle said Belong was also planning to hold a men’s mental health and wellbeing expo for agencies across the Mountains in July to support men of all ages with their mental health connections.
Shared Reading will use their grant to extend their work and to train male reading facilitators who can lead social reading groups specifically designed to support men’s mental health in the Blue Mountains. The groups are aimed at combatting social isolation and loneliness.
These initiatives are a crucial part of our government’s targeted community-led mental health and suicide prevention initiatives,” Ms Doyle said.
The state government grants support local mentoring and peer support groups to promote men’s mental health, wellbeing and resilience with an aim to reduce suicide rates in NSW.
The NSW Suicide Monitoring System shows that men are disproportionately impacted by suicide and account for more than three quarters of deaths by suicide in NSW each year.
If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). For those contemplating suicide or experiencing severe distress, the following helplines are available 24/7:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- 13 YARN: 13 92 76
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467.
Additionally, the NSW Mental Health Line (1800 011 511) offers 24/7 advice on accessing local specialist mental health services.
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
“Men account for more than three quarters of suicide deaths in NSW.
“This is deeply concerning. We know some men can be reluctant to engage with traditional mental health services, so these grants were designed to help grassroots organisations provide tailored support in the community.
“The funding was originally announced following the Men’s Mental Health Forum held in Parliament in 2024. Due to the number of excellent applications, we substantially increased this funding.”
MEDIA: Brenda Cunningham-Lewis | Trish Doyle (02) 4751 3298
MEDIA: Elodie Gooden | Minister Jackson | 0488 057 498
