Men’s Health Week runs from June 15 to 21, featuring a national campaign and local events designed to encourage men to attend health check-ups and openly discuss their health concerns.
Event in Singleton
A community lunch will be held at Morgan Engineering in Singleton during International Men's Health Week, organized by Business Singleton.
Federal Member for Hunter and Special Envoy for Men's Health, Dan Repacholi MP, will attend alongside Tammy Howell from Core Health Consulting, author of The Real Man's Toolbox.
The Men's Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) will provide free health checks on site, supported by the Rotary Clubs of Warners Bay. A barbecue lunch will be provided by the Singleton Men's Shed.
The event aims to encourage men to have conversations about their health in a relaxed environment and to promote preventative healthcare. It addresses the common tendency of men to avoid health discussions and check-ups—a factor cited as contributing to poorer health outcomes compared to women.
Statement from Dan Repacholi MP
"Men’s Health Week is about not putting health in the 'too-hard basket.' Men are more comfortable discussing sports or work than health, but such conversations can save lives."
Repacholi encouraged men who have delayed check-ups or conversations with their GP to take action now. He thanked the organizing partners for their support.
National Campaign: "101 Reasons to See Your GP"
The campaign cites research indicating that two in three Australian men delay seeking help when unwell.
Men face higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and several cancers. One in two men experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, and over three-quarters of Australians who die by suicide are men.
Federal Government Priorities
In his role as Special Envoy for Men's Health, Repacholi outlined four key priorities:
- Encouraging men to visit their GP
- Improving First Nations men's health
- Raising awareness of bowel cancer
- Promoting better sexual health in the GBTIQ+ community
Free home test kits for bowel cancer screening are mailed to Australians aged 50 to 74 every two years. Since July 2024, those aged 45 to 49 can also request a kit.
Four Key Health Areas
The campaign emphasizes:
- Healthy body: diet, exercise, alcohol reduction
- Healthy lifestyle: relationships, work, social life
- Healthy mindset: mindfulness, goal setting, reframing thoughts
- Healthy connections: talking with mates, knowing when and where to get help
Early detection is considered one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes.
The national campaign website offers a health service finder, an interactive health check quiz, real stories from men, and a list of 101 reasons to see a GP.
Support Services
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78