Men's Family Services believes that men's issues are just as important as women's issues. Yet, there appears to be a disproportionately large number of women's counselling services compared to that of men's counselling services.

We feel that not enough value is placed on the emotional and relationship needs of men and that this can have negative implications for a society in which approximately half of the citizens are male.

Our vision is one that is essential for the ongoing wellbeing of the community:

"to provide a quality service that acknowledges and caters to the emotional needs of men and assists them in building better lives, happier families and more stable communities."

To improve the emotional well being of men so that they are able to cope more effectively in their relationships, work life and family life.

Men's Family Services specialise in:

• Anger/Anxiety
• Depression/Suicide
• Fathering & child issues
• Men's communication and relationship issues

To learn more about the services we provide, please visit our services section.

• Because men deserve a fair go!
• Because a man is just as important to his children as their mother is.
• Because males make up roughly 50% of the population.
• Because........................................................
  .............and the list goes on.

It is a fact that there is a glaringly significant disparity in the availability of men and women's health services. In many populated areas there are actually zero counselling services available to men. This poses grave concern considering that in these areas, half the population is left to cope with stress and emotional problems on their own.

Here are some facts and figures that will help you understand why it is important that men be given greater access to counselling services that address their needs:

• There are FOUR times more MALE SUICIDES than female suicides. (ABS)
• 70% of adult male suicides occurred after a RELATIONSHIP BREAKUP 1.
• Men can carry large unresolved problems from relationship and family breakdowns for as long as 10 years after the separation 2.
• For men, unresolved issues tend to manifest themselves in the form of violence, depression, insomnia and other stress-related symptoms.
• At present, 86% of fathers feel that they do not spend enough time with their children 3.
• One out of every six Australian men suffers from depression at any given time (Better Health Victoria)
• Life issues - such as the death of a spouse, separation, divorce and unemployment - trigger serious depression in men more often than in women. (Better Health Victoria).
• Depressed men are twice as likely as depressed women to abuse alcohol and drugs 4.

1. Page 7, The Australian 7-8 June 1998
2. Jordan, P The effects of marital separation on men - 10 years on, Family Court of Australia Publications Unit, (1996)
3. Jordan, P Fitting Fathers in Families: Men and the fatherhood role in contemporary Australia (1999)
4. Department of Family and Community Services.