May 2026

Men account for three in four suicides. However, research shows that in many services, up to four in five people who access suicide prevention support are female. As a sector, we need to improve our ability to reach and engage with men.

Training Outcomes

• Expand your understanding of male suicide

• Explore the principles of male-friendly services

• Strengthen your capacity to engage with men at risk

• Reflect on changes the sector can make to prevent male suicide

• Create a plan to apply your learning after the workshop

What to Expect

The sessions are three to four hours long and take place in a supportive, interactive group setting. The workshop is led by our very own CEO, Jonathan Bedloe.

Who Should Attend

• Community and social workers

• Healthcare professionals

• Volunteers and peer workers

• People working with men at risk

• Leaders, support staff, or marketing teams for the above programs

Participant Feedback

"I valued the specific focus on men and left with some great resources."

"Great tips that I will be putting into action with my male clients."

"Really appreciated the gendered approach to suicide prevention."

What’s Working? The Inaugural Men’s Health Forum will highlight the programs and services that are reaching men and helping to improve wellbeing for men and boys in Tasmania.

We all know the statistics: men experience poorer outcomes in some aspects of their health and well-being. So, what’s working to engage men? What’s working for men on their mental health recovery journeys, what’s working to help connect and support dads, and what’s working for men grassroots men's health sector?

Join us for a one-day forum to hear positive stories, contribute your perspectives and experiences, and explore how we can apply fresh thinking to our own programs and services.

Who should attend? Senior policy and public sector workers, community and health sector workers, and others interested in improving men's health outcomes.

Location: Philip Smith Centre, 71 Brooker Ave, Glebe TAS 7000, Australia

Date: Wed 10th Jun 2026, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm AEST

The Men’s Table is a national organisation where local men meet monthly for dinner and intentional conversation. These "Tables" build genuine connections that go beyond banter. To learn how a Table works, men are invited to an Entree… a relaxed, no-obligation meal to meet others and decide if joining a Table is right for you. There are no membership fees for this grassroots community activity.

George Town Entree

Date: Mon, 15 Jun, 6pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Pier Hotel, George Town

Book Here

Kingston Entree

Date: Mon, 22 Jun, 6pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Pier Hotel, George Town

Book Here

The University of Tasmania is conducting a research survey to identify the challenges people face when accessing support for gambling harm in Tasmania. The project is directly funded by the Tasmanian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC).

Purpose of the Research

The study aims to understand why some people do or do not access gambling harm support services. By identifying these barriers, the research team hopes to improve how these services are addressed and delivered in Tasmania.

Who Can Participate

The study is open to Tasmanians over the age of 18 who fall into any of the following categories:

• People who gamble or have ever gambled (including those who gamble safely).

• People who live with or support someone who gambles.

• People who work for organisations providing gambling harm support services in Tasmania.

Please note that this research is interested in all forms of gambling except for lotteries.

What is Involved

Participation involves a brief online survey that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey asks for basic demographic information and questions regarding gambling behaviors or experiences with support services.

Confidentiality and Support

All survey data is non-identifiable and will be stored securely on University of Tasmania servers.

If this topic raises any concerns, the following support services are available:

• Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Barriers to Accessing Gambling Harm Support - Survey

A recent episode of the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) podcast, Mental Health In Practice, features the directors of the Ballarat Men’s Mental Health service. Andrew McPherson, Mick Fryar, and Maxine Troon discuss the specific challenges of engaging men in mental health care and the strategies they used to build a responsive regional service.

The Challenge in Regional Care

Statistics from the Grampians region show that between 2013 and 2018, 66% of men who died by suicide had no previous contact with health services. The discussion focuses on why men often delay seeking help and the systemic issues that prevent them from staying engaged with support.

Four Main Barriers to Access

The Ballarat team identified four primary obstacles that keep men from getting help:

• Wait Times: Long delays for appointments often cause men to lose interest or momentum after their first contact.

• System Navigation: Difficulty understanding how to move through the referral and clinical system.

• Help-Seeking Reluctance: Cultural and social stigmas surrounding mental health support.

• Financial Costs: The inability to pay for sessions or navigate Medicare requirements.

Listen to the Episode

The full 30-minute episode, Barriers to Care: Designing a Men’s Mental Health Service, provides a look at how clinical practice can be adapted to better reach "hard to reach" populations. Check out the links below to listen to the podcast.

Mental Health Professionals’ Network (Direct Link)

Apple Podcast

Spotify

Pictured L-R: Chris Williamson (Modern Wisdom) & Richard V. Reeves (Of Boys and Men)

Richard Reeves joins Chris Williamson to discuss the rise of the gentlemanosphere and the mainstreaming of men’s issues. They examine why fathers matter in their own right and why paternity leave is a critical family issue. The conversation addresses the current state of the men’s movement compared to modern feminism and looks at tangible policy progress being made at the state level. Reeves also explores whether the challenges facing boys are finally being addressed meaningfully and why optimism is a necessary virtue for social change.

Watch the Discussion on YouTube

Round 1: Huge Debate: Should Fathers Be In The Delivery Room?

Round 2: What Happened to Men and Women?

Round 3: A Shocking Turn in the War on Men

Of Boys and Men x Modern Wisdom

Dr. Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor at the Health Services Management Centre at the University of Birmingham, has announced the publication of her new book, Reframing Masculinity for Young Men and Boys: We’re in This Together.

About the Book

This work explores the evolving position of masculinity in contemporary society and advocates for a shift in how we understand and support boys. Drawing on participatory research with young people, the book addresses several critical themes:

• Masculinity in the Modern Age: Examining how boys navigate identity in a fast-moving, digital world.

• Mental Health and Wellbeing: Understanding why boys may mask distress with anger or silence and the importance of early intervention.

• Digital Culture: The impact of online influencers and the rise of extreme misogyny on young men's identities.

• Violence Prevention: Addressing the cultural roots of harm and breaking cycles of dominance and control.

• Inclusive Education: Making Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) more relevant and supportive for boys.

Access the Resource

A practitioner resource based on the research in this book is available for free. It provides practical steps for supporting emotional development and creating safe, inclusive environments for young men and is available below as well as the full copy avaliable to purchase on Amazon.

Free Resource

Amazon Kindle and Hardcovers

Pictured L-R: Dan Repacholi (Federal MP for Hunter), Stig Stover (MRT President), Brendan Sullivan (MRT - Building Pathways Manager), and Jonathan Bedloe (MRT CEO)

A few weeks ago, Men’s Resources Tasmania recently met with Dan Repacholi MP, the Federal Government’s Special Envoy for Men’s Health, and his advisors. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the current activities of MRT and the specific challenges facing men’s wellbeing in our state. A primary focus of the discussion was the lack of state-level funding in Tasmania. We highlighted how this lack of support makes it difficult to provide necessary leadership and coordination within the grassroots men’s health community.

We also discussed the benefits of our relationship with the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF). As a national partner, AMHF provides resources for advocacy, policy development, and health messaging that are essential to our local operations.

Dan Repacholi has featured an article about our meeting and the work of MRT in his latest newsletter. This publication covers his recent activities and his role as Special Envoy for Men's Health.

You can read the full article and the latest updates from his office at the link below.

Issue III - Mate, you good? Mens Health News from Dan Repacholi

The Tasmanian Men’s Health Network (TMHN), a collaboration between Men’s Resources Tasmania and Health Promotion South, continues its mission to connect those working with men and boys across the state.

Whether you are a practitioner, advocate, or community member, join us online to share research, collaborate on policy, and support one another’s work.

Meetings are held online every two months on the second-to-last Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

• 16 June

• 18 August

• 20 October

• 8 December

Please email us to request to be added to the invite list.