FATHERS facing the grief of family breakdown will have somewhere to seek support with the launch of Melton’s first counselling program
for men.
Norwood Association and the Dads in Distress service will trial two daytime group sessions at the Melton Men’s Shed to help fathers through separation or divorce and with issues relating to child support and family law.
New census data shows more than 27per cent of Melton families have a single parent, well above the state average of 15per cent.
Group facilitator Colin Moyle, a mental health outreach counsellor across Melbourne’s north-west, said Melton’s high family breakdown rate was due to social disadvantage, unemployment and housing stress.
He said the area lacked support networks for men who often fell into substance abuse or had suicidal thoughts after bitter break-ups or losing access to their children.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, on average, four Australian men commit suicide each day. It is the leading cause of death for men aged under 44.
“Many are due to family breakdowns and Melton has a high concentration of family breakdowns,” Mr Moyle said.
“Quite often, men have never experienced the emotions they’re experiencing or are going to experience when they come to the realisation that they’re going to lose their family.
“They have a tendency to isolate themselves when going through these emotional situations, and are prone to destructive addictions like drugs and alcohol,” Mr Moyle said
When Melton resident Jeff Free’s relationship crumbled, contact with his children was cut back to two days a week.
He recalls feeling isolated and having noone to help him.
“I suffered grief and depression and the rest of it, but in Melton there was nothing to support men,” he said.
After attending a Dads in Distress meeting in StAlbans and receiving legal and emotional advice, Mr Free is the primary carer of his children, aged 4, 6 and 8.
Mr Moyle says the group sessions provide ‘road maps’ through the family law system and peer support for men to manage on their own.
“In the old days, we were taught to be John Wayne – grown men don’t cry, tough it out – but when facing the loss of everything you know and it’s out of your control, it’s important to know how to move forward,” said Mr Moyle.
The pilot support sessions will be held at Melton Men’s Shed, 76 Reserve Road, Melton, on July 31 and August 28, 2-4pm.
Lifeline: 131114
