my young guy is struggling
How we can help
We provide free mentoring and counselling for guys aged 10-25 (counselling) or 10-16 (mentoring). Please note that we only provide services to young guys in Canberra and the surrounding regions.
Most referrals to Menslink come from parents or caregivers of young men under 25. Many are single mums. We also get referrals from grandparents, older brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts.
They turn to Menslink to help the young man overcome:
- Isolation or loneliness
- Conflict with family, friends or school
- Lack of self-confidence
- Difficulties coping with life events, experiences or challenges
- Anger, frustration or fear
- Challenges with school rules or the law
- Difficulties engaging with people or activities
which program is right for my young guy?
Mentoring is really useful when a young guy (10-16) is socially isolated and/or just needs an adult male role model in his life to help steer him on the right path.
Mentoring also involves monthly group activities that can be fun, challenging, and help the young guy grow. These range from movie and pizza nights to camping, sailing, indoor rock climbing, footy games and even the theatre.
Counselling provides support for a young guy (10-25) to get through tough times. A counsellor is a trained professional who can help him deal with relationship difficulties, anger management, bullying, impulse control or mild depression and anxiety.
Some of our young men just need one program. Others might start in one program and eventually be supported by both. Others move from one to the other depending on their circumstances and how they feel at the time.
If you’re unsure about what is right for your young guy, have a look through our counselling and mentoring pages. You can always give us a call on 6287 2226 if you have more questions.
If you think your young guy would benefit from mentoring, counselling or both simply fill out this help request form and we’ll be in touch within 2 business days.
SOMETIMES WE MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT FIT…
While we make every attempt to help young men and their families, we are also conscious of our own capabilities.
Sometimes a young man is experiencing challenges that require specialist or professional services that Menslink does not have. Examples may include sexual abuse trauma, serious mental illness or impairment, intellectual disability, chronic alcohol or drug addiction.
Menslink is also unable to provide direct financial or other support (ie housing) to young men, regardless of the adversity in their lives. However, Menslink will always attempt to assist any young man in need, even if that assistance means referring him or his family to the best agency or specialist service provider able to help.
Please note we are not an NDIS provider
Other places that can help
ACT Government: Listing of the Government’s Mental Health Services, including crisis support.
EveryMan: Counselling for men aged 18 and older.
Headspace: A range of counselling and other services for all young people.
Reach Out: A great online information service for young people and their parents.
Kids Helpline: Online info and 24-hour crisis counselling (phone, web and email) for young people up to age 25.
Meridian Wellbeing Services: Free counselling and psychology support for people living with or impacted by HIV, LGBTIQA+ individuals, their families of choice, sex workers, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, carers, and allies. (02 6257 0372)
Lifeline: 24-hour crisis counselling to anyone in need.
Suicide Callback Service: nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.