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Encouraging men to put family first by Kylie O’Brien 25 November 2015
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s we approach the end of the year’s most hairy month, Apunipima Cape York Health Council is encouraging men to put their families first during the festive season. During this month for Movember, Apunipima’s men’s health team has encouraged male staff (Mo Bros) to grow their mos and female staff (Mo Sistas) to move for at least 30 minutes each day for November to raise much needed funds for men’s health. This month, Apunipima’s men’s health team are continuing to educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people in Cape York on how to access support services, why men’s health checks are important, prevention and symptoms of men’s cancers and the important role men play in the family unit. Social and Emotional Wellbeing Men’s Health manager Bernard David said educating dads, brothers, uncles and grandads was key in delivering positive messages to the Cape York community. “Men provide a cultural link to their land and community and a lot of our young people look up to them,” Mr David said. “Talking about men’s health is a step in helping to Close the Gap.” As Christmas approaches, men need to set realistic New Year resolutions for themselves, he said.
“There’s no point in setting your resolution for January 1st because while it’s made with all good intentions, it will set you up for failure,” Mr David said. “Setting your New Year resolution for later in January gives you something to aim for and look forward to. “It’s something you can be proud of once you’ve achieved your goal whether it’s to give up smoking or drink less alcohol.” Mr David said Movember was a timely reminder for men to look after themselves and their families. “You need to think about your
mob,” he said. “That means when you’re having a drink at Christmas, make sure you have a designated driver. “Don’t drink and drive and don’t let your mob drive when they’ve been drinking.” Visit au.movember.com for more details on Movember; to donate to Apunipima’s Movember team visit moteam.co/Apunipima-cape-yorkhealth-council Check out Stayin’ On Track, an online resource developed by Aboriginal men for Aboriginal dads at stayinontrack.com
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