Mensline - Auckland
Telephone counselling service for men
Ph (09) 522 2500
7 days 5.30 PM - 11 PM
Website:
www.mensline.org.nz
Photo: Bruce Mackie
Lifeline Director
Within a few months of opening in 1995, Mensline was averaging 4 calls a night. Now that the service has become well-known, the numbers on some nights are much higher. Because they only have limited lines, you should just keep trying if it's engaged.
Bruce Mackie, Director of Lifeline says that many of the men using the service have relationship problems. "Often they are people who have a huge amount of difficulty talking about personal issues in their life...... Some of them may have handled their relationships badly, but the men still experienced a sense of loss when the relationship ended. One of the hardest things a guy can do is to talk with another guy about the difficulties he's having, or the fact that he's not coping. Men have difficulty in acknowledging they are not doing well.... It's seen as wimpish, a sign of weakness and inadequacy. However, by talking to men they will find healthier ways of dealing with their problems. One of the things men need to do is to start looking after each other."
Men Wanted!
- Do you listen well and relate to others?
- Do you want a better understanding of yourself and others?
- Do you want to contribute to the community?
We invite you to join a positive purposeful group of men from all walks of life who enjoy helping others and themselves.
Full training is given for this service which is designed to address the issues and problems of men in a rapidly changing society.
Enquire now about joining the next training intake at Mensline.
Phone office (64 9) 522 2808 for application forms and information.
Why Introduce Mensline?
In 1995, as Lifeline was celebrating it's 30th anniversary, it was recognised that although 33% of their callers were men, only a quarter of their counsellors were male. They acknowledged that there was a lack of telephone services catering specifically for males, and noted that there were no corresponding lines for men's health, unemployment, business, violence and matrimonial matters. Lifeline responded to this need with the introduction of Mensline.
Research shows that male behaviour is changing from being unable to share reddle, even when desperate, to being more willing to seek help.
Changes in social problems suggestion that men are now in need of extra support more than ever before. Male unemployment is on the rise, male violence is increasing, male admissions to psychiatric institutions now exceed female and more men are now living alone. These factors can lead to isolation, despair, depression, insecurity and fear.
Such indicators suggest that we are going through a time of social change which would encourage new male initiatives that humanise men rather than mechanise them. Lifeline has responded to these changes by introducing Mensline as part of their extremely professional telephone counselling service.
MENZ Issues article:
Mensline Warns of Men's Anger, Frustration & Hopelessness