MENDS Services
MENDS offers only one program in the Australasian market at this point in time, the innovative program:
Men Exploring New Directional Strategies
At this point in Australian society, strong resistance exists to men recognising that they might benefit from assistance, and then reaching out for it. Fortunately there are signs that that culture is starting to shift.
Based upon the insights and experience the MENDS executive and facilitators are accumulating, plans are in place to develop further services:
- A pre-relationship crisis program
- A pre-relationship program
- Corporate and organisational programs and consultancy to target unhealthy male cultures
Some people query why these programs are not available now, knowing how badly they are needed. Most people with experience in this area express a preference for the prevention of relationship breakdown, rather than doing the best to contain damage after the event.
MENDS would remind them that prior to April 2000, no government money had been forthcoming in support of the initiatives taken by MENDS, in spite of the high mortality rate among separated males. We are confronted with the pragmatic reality that we have to make existing programs pay their way first, before investing in the high outlay of developing additional services.
Relationship to Other Initiatives
MENDS has been designed to address some key aspects of the masculine response to separation. This addresses but one part of mens' needs and little of the specific needs to their children, former partner and significant others around stressful relationship-endings.
We aim to develop highly effective relationships with others working in this important area, and to do so in a spirit of respectful co-operation. Organisations working in this area, who are keen to explore synergy with MENDS, should contact MENDS administration at the phone number on the Home Page.
Elements of the Program
As observed by many referees commenting on the MENDS program, it is the wholistic/holistic (choose your spelling) nature of the program that holds the key to its outcomes. There are no "silver bullets" here; rather an assembly of carefully selected complimentary elements, which build around and upon a centre of a men's belief in his core worth as a human being.
And it is that unique ability to address that core, in a way that makes men feel safe, that sets this program apart.
