Men's Health Week 2018: 'Men and Families: Making Healthy Connections'

This year’s theme is ‘Men and Families: Making Healthy Connections’, setting the tone for a week of activities that will celebrate the strength of men and boys, as well as inspire discussion about how they can better contribute to their health, and the health of their families and local communities.

Director of MHIRC, Professor John Macdonald, says the week – to be officially launched by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin – reminds us that the support we get from family and friends is important for our mental and physical health.

“Men’s Health Week is an important opportunity to acknowledge the way that connection with family will benefit a man’s health, and conversely how a man can connect and contribute to his family, whatever shape that family is,” says Professor Macdonald.

“There are many ways that men get blamed for their own health issues. That criticism may be justified in some circumstances, but Men’s Health Week is more a chance to celebrate the strengths of men and boys and how they can positively contribute to their health, and the health of their families and local communities.

“Yes, some health choices are up to the individual, like diet, exercise and alcohol intake, but some things that impact on health are outside an individual’s control.”

For more information, or to register an event for Men’s Health Week go to: menshealthweek.org.au.