Men's Health Week 2023 Launch Event

Men’s Health Week (12-18 June 2023) is an opportunity to showcase the importance of men’s health, and to promote the health and wellbeing of men and boys in our communities.

Join us for a light breakfast on Tuesday June 13 2023 as we celebrate some of the men and organisations who are addressing the inequities in men's health, and showcase some of the extraordinary work being done to address the unique health and social challenges facing men and boys in Australia.

This event will include a keynote speaker and panel discussion with a range of guests working within the men's health space, who will offer their unique views on challenges and opportunities for improving men's health and wellbeing. Guests are welcome to join us for light refreshments and networking at the conclusion of the formal proceedings.

The dress code for the event is business casual.

This event will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person – please register your details if you would like to join us online. A livestream link will be shared prior to the event.

Keynote Speaker - Cam Merchant

From playing professional cricket in Australia, New Zealand and overseas, to featuring on reality television, Cam Merchant has lived an extraordinary life. After hitting rock bottom, Cam has turned his life around and now works as a mentor and performance coach with young males and presents for Gotcha4Life, where it is his personal mission to engage, educate and empower those who may be struggling with life’s challenges. Today, Cam is a loving husband and father who reflects on his previous personal struggles to inspire others and to help them reach their full potential.

Panellists

Craig Ball has been a Men’s Mental Health Mentor for many years. His focus on men came after the loss of many mates to suicide post-service in the Australian Army. His community initiatives such as the Central Coast Men’s Walk and Talk grew out of a significant need on the central coast where the suicide rate is well above the state average. Craig’s efforts to assist men extend to the online world conducting a Facebook group of over 1000 men worldwide. Named as a member of the 2023 Invictus Games team he hopes that any publicity will result in increased support for men.

Louise Maher has worked in NSW Health for 47 years, all that time in western Sydney. Having started life as a Nurse then Midwife and loving every minute of it; she moved to a Community Health role, and soon realised that having strategies to stay well within the context of family, culture, and community, was so much more valuable than 'fixing sick people' in a hospital. Louise studied Health Promotion and worked in drug and alcohol prevention for many years before moving into Population Health and completing a Social Work degree. Since then, she has and becoming even more passionate about healthcare that values equity, inclusion, and self-determination.

Bharat Nepal has worked in various roles and health services within NSW Health since 2003. His expertise includes population health and health research, and he is a Licensed Mental Health First Aid Master Instructor. Bharat is the Founding President of Australia Nepal Public Link (ANPL) Inc and is currently undertaking his PhD at Western Sydney University. He is passionate about enhancing mental health literacy, improving the knowledge and skills of health professionals working with culturally diverse communities, and improving the health and wellbeing of Nepalese men in Australia and abroad.