Menslink is holding its most ambitious fundraiser: a ‘Great Walk’ around Canberra’s Centenary Trail to raise money for its services helping young guys.

Coming out of lockdown is when life can get tough, says CEO Martin Fisk. “We’re seeing demand way, way more than anything we’ve ever seen before.”

The Walk will fund much-needed counselling, mentoring, school group programs, and mental health presentations around the ACT.

The five-day trek will begin on Tuesday, 2 November. At 142km, it will be longer than the Kokoda Track or the distance to Everest Base Camp – and it will be up hill and down dale, around 2,000 vertical metres. Thirty business owners, government executives, and CEOs will walk 30km a day; each has committed to raise at least $10,000.

“It’s going to be challenging for the walkers, but they’re really coming to the fore for us, and for the young fellows and their families across the ACT,” Mr Fisk said.

Last year, Menslink received 20 per cent record requests for help a month after lockdown ended, and Mr Fisk expects the same this year.

“Coming back to school after such a long period of time off is tricky,” he said. “In lockdown, everyone was in lockdown, but now we’re seeing some young fellows with a lot of work, and other young fellows still not able to start work. That can cause some tension, and feelings of low self-esteem and anxiety.

“When young guys go through tough times, they can often do quite a bit of damage to themselves, but they can also lash out in anger and sometimes violence, which then has ripple effects across their families, their schools, their workplaces, and in fact, our whole community – and that’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

Menslink provides free counselling for any young guy who needs it, from the age of 10 to 25. “Our objective is to get young guys in and supported through a private counsellor within about a couple of weeks,” Mr Fisk said.

The NGO also provides a free volunteer mentoring service; an adult male role model supports and guides a young fellow for two years. Nine mentors were trained last weekend, and nine more will be trained next weekend.

Two education programs give presentations in schools around mental fitness and mental health, self-esteem, respectful relationships, avoiding conflict, and de-escalating violence.

But fundraising, Mr Fisk said, is critical: Menslink receives 60 per cent of its funding from private sources, and 40 per cent from the ACT Government. Hence the need for a funding boost.

Menslink has reached two-thirds of the $30,000 target it has set. The community can donate online; all contributions are fully tax-deductible.

“If the Canberra community gets together and helps Menslink raise this money, we can help build the resilience of young fellows and the next generation,” Mr Fisk said.

If you think Menslink could support a young guy or his family who is struggling, fill in a ‘Get Help’ request, and Menslink will be in touch straightaway.

“It’s free of charge; it’s hassle-free; and we are there to assist.”

How can young guys and their families look after themselves?

“Kindness – a big dose of kindness to yourself and those around you – is really important,” Mr Fisk said. “Before we say the nasty or harsh word, whether it’s online, or whether it’s in person, just stop for a minute and think: Is what I’m about to say honest, useful to the person to whom I’m saying it, and kind? If it doesn’t meet those three criteria, maybe just leave it alone.

“Recognize either in yourself or in people around you when they’re not going through a great time, or when they’re having a hard time. You can do that by looking at changes in behaviour. Just reach out and say: ‘Hey, are you all right? I’ve noticed some changes around you; you’re not acting or looking yourself. Do you want to have a chat about it?’

“Remember – as individuals or family members or work colleagues, it’s not necessarily our job to fix a problem or to solve an issue, but just simply to be there for the person in distress and get them to seek help from a professional like Menslink or the good people at Lifeline, Beyond Blue, or Headspace.”

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