An open door: the men’s group that’s making a difference

“There can be stereotypes and stigmas attached to being an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man. The service we provide is a place where men can get support on a regular basis – a regular, frequent and predictable open door each fortnight.”

On an unseasonably rainy day in June, a group of men gathered at a park in Strathpine. With the BBQ fired up, the men – members of the Moreton ATSICHS Family and Wellbeing Service Men’s Group – came together for music, yarning and connection.

Taking place fortnightly in locations across the Moreton Bay region, the group offers a regular chance for men to meet in a pressure-free, culturally safe setting. It’s a space where all are welcome, and attendees are able to connect to culture and Mob.

 “It’s so important to have safe spaces to feel heard,” says Moreton ATSICHS’ Family Practitioner, Julian Hunt. “There can be stereotypes and stigmas attached to being an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man. The service we provide is a place where men can get support on a regular basis – a frequent and predictable open door each fortnight that a man can walk through. And if they just want to have a coffee and a sit in the corner, that’s fine too.”

A safe space outside the home

Since it was founded in 2024, the Moreton ATSICHS Men’s Group has been well-received – experiencing continual growth via word of mouth, and ensuring it meets the men’s needs thanks to regular input from the men who attend. For group member Terry Stubbings, it offers an invaluable chance for men to open up outside of the home.

“There can be lot of mental health issues in Indigenous men, and it’s just knowing there’s support there if you need it,” says Terry. “We’re all here to help, have a chat and just be with other Indigenous men. I think we get left out of a lot of things. And of course, men don’t help themselves – we don’t want to talk about what’s going on in our lives. It helps to have a chat with somebody outside the family circle.”

Another attendee, Michael Karam, has been going to the group for more than six months and says it’s a great chance to connect with Mob.

“I like to get out of the house because I can’t work anymore, because of my disability and my mental health,” he says. “I love getting out and meeting new people… and I can talk to the guys about anything.”

Recognising the past, supporting the future

In order to actively create a culturally safe space, Moreton ATSICHS Men’s Group is shaped by a trauma-informed lens that acknowledges the past, and the group is supported by Moreton ATSICHS counsellors and Community Liaison Officers who regularly attend.

“Understanding our journey is crucial,” says Julian Hunt.  “What happened yesterday isn’t left there – it actually impacts on our people today. People are yearning for connection. They want to be connected to Mob, and understand where they come from and their journey. Some people don’t understand the issues that have occurred in the past and how that impacts their family today.”

To ensure group members have access to community and support every week, team members from local satellite health centres run a men’s group on the ‘off’ week – ensuring there’s a weekly option for connection.

“It can be a great way to break up the week”, says Chris Ewin, from Bribie Island Satellite Health Centre. “If there’s a bit of family stuff going on, or if there’s personal stuff going on, coming to a group like this helps to break that cycle a bit. And we have a lot of different services here as well – so if you do need a specific support you can ask.” 

Team members from the satellite health centres regularly attend the Moreton ATSICHS men’s group in order to provide additional support and engagement. For Joey Ellison, from Kallangur Satellite Health Centre, some of the most meaningful times at the groups happen when the members feel truly safe and supported.

“When you have a room full of fellas laughing, or a room where everyone allowed someone to share – they might be emotional, might have their head down and be shedding a tear. That’s the most rewarding thing in the world to me – that there’s a strong black man standing in front of me, sharing this vulnerable moment with all of us.”

As the group continues to grow, it continues to be shaped by the men who attend. For Julian Hunt, it’s crucial to maintain the group’s momentum and offer continual support to Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander men in the region.

“It’s taken some time to build this to where it is now, and we don’t want to be a flash in the pan,” he says. “It’s been great seeing people having conversations in a safe space. We want to keep having that door open for anyone who needs it.”