With men traditionally more reluctant to talk about their mental health than women, a new initiative has started in Wollongong encouraging males to meet once a month to discuss such issues with another male.
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Barstool Brothers has no set structure - it simply provides a space for mates, and strangers, to chat over a drink and some food.
Lachlan Stevens, of His Boy Elroy, is encouraging more men in the Illawarra to realise it is okay to reach out to someone - especially in these uncertain times.
Coronavirus may mean Barstool Brothers needs to go online for a time but Mr Stevens said the concept has enjoyed such a positive response it is important it continue and it will continue.
Mr Lachlan said as a businessperson it was important to pay it forward to the community that supports him.
"It is something we started before all the changes hit with the coronavirus," Mr Steven said.
"We had a lot of guys coming into our restaurant expressing issues with mental health so we started Barstool Brothers a couple of months ago.
"It absolutely exploded as a private Facebook group. And we have just under 400 members already. And we have a monthly catch up in store where they can have a free burger, a beer and just chew the fat.
"If they want to they can pay it forward and pay $22 for a coupon. They can then go out and give that to another mate".
Mr Lachlan said two months in he can see how it is building a community of blokes supporting other blokes.
"It is looking less and less likely that we can hold these events in store for a while in the future. But one of the impacts of the economic and social implications of this virus is going to be on mental health. So we are putting out to tall members of the group that there is this social network available. And 24 hours a day we are committed to being there for each other".
Mr Stevens said organisations such as a Lifeline and Beyond Blue were the still the best places to go for urgent help.
But there is also a network of men in Wollongong will to have a chat if that is what they feel like.
"And our doors are still open at His Boy Elroy for anyone who just wants to chew the fat," he said.
"And I working with others on how we can move this barstool concept online. And should have some more news about that on Monday.
In the meantime the private Facebook Group is available all day every day.
"There are two components of this crisis for His Boy Elroy. We are going to take a hit financially. But we don't want to lose continuity with our community because it is it that has supported us and provided us with this great business".
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