https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/364547/we-ve-talked-about-this-for-decades-and-still-haven-t-made-changes Ken Clearwater, a national advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, is speaking on a panel at the summit today. “Our biggest problem or issue, is that male victims of sexual violence or domestic violence are not seen as a problem and that nobody seems to be interested in talking about female offenders,” he said….
https://ab.co/2NkgFP2 Psychologists are texting with patients in the bush to try and take better mental health care to isolated parts of Australia. The program, which is a joint initiative between Virtual Psychologist and Aussie Helpers, is designed to offer people free, personalised assistance on a device most have in their pocket all day — their…
https://cnn.it/2HfBszn The concept of sex addiction gained traction in the 1980s, when Patrick Carnes published “Out of the Shadows,” one of the first books to identify compulsive sexual behavior, a problem he likened to an addiction. Soon, treatment centers, 12-step programs and other resources grew around this new label, despite the fact that it has…
http://bit.ly/305D6ew A new study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that lonely individuals may be at particular risk when it comes to the compulsive use of mobile dating applications like Tinder. “I generally study relationship initiation, and I’m fascinated by how technology can assist people in finding relationships, particularly romantic relationships,” said…
Epstein’s death is a victory for misogyny: it denies accusers the justice they deserve | Moira Donegan https://t.co/8lqIr2jjiM — Guardian Australia (@GuardianAus) August 13, 2019
http://bit.ly/2yVaIzF New research suggests that cannabis users tend to be more likely to forget to remember to perform tasks when facing stressful conditions. The findings have been published in the journal Psychopharmacology. “We were interested in this topic because trends toward the legalization of cannabis in North America have increased access to cannabis and diminished…
4) Reduce the effort involved https://bbc.in/2YQhchY You need to make it as easy as possible to get started. The concept of choice architecture is well-known now, with some work canteens putting fruit near the tills instead of chocolate to tempt staff to eat more healthily. We can do this for ourselves too. If you’re hoping…
Bulimia. It’s an illness usually linked with women but Kiwi men are suffering, too – often in silence. @radionz @ninetonoonhttps://t.co/yc14FArlhE — Luke Chivers (@lukechiversnz) August 13, 2019
https://bbc.in/2YQhchY 2) Look for the positives in the task you keep postponing One way of working out whether you’re a chronic procrastinator is to ask yourself whether you are putting the task off because you’re afraid of failure. After 15 years of research on procrastination, Fuschia Sirois from the University of Sheffield has found that…
https://www.abuseinstatecare.royalcommission.govt.nz/News-First-procedural-hearing-explained?opendocument&fbclid=IwAR0EAaPxzdHGsLZfUULKc8cHTGRXmwB8DEPN4285SXCODTr4aZ0myBGvl5E The first Procedural hearing of the Abuse in Care Inquiry is on Monday, 19 August at 10am at Rydges Hotel, Federal Street in Auckland. A procedural hearing is a meeting to help the Inquiry prepare for a public hearing, to make sure it runs as well as possible. We will have one before every…
Making the jump to become a client himself over a decade ago, Andrew found an affinity for groups and moved into becoming a Peer Support Worker. Fast forward and Andrew has worked with groups in prisons, run workshops for men and now leads support groups and provides one-on-one support to men in South Auckland.
Embracing the rich Polynesian culture in his community, Andrew has taken the opportunity to learn colloquial phrases and perhaps eaten one too many panikeke along the way. He also finds enjoyment in the great outdoors and has earned a reputation as a master picnic maker.
With front-line, leadership and lived experience, Bruce has a well-rounded perspective of the challenges our community faces and is committed to making a positive change. He has worked on withdrawal services, drug and alcohol, mental health support and family trauma programmes, advocating for and delivering quality outcomes for service users.
Bruce works to be a positive role model with humour and compassion, recognising and working with all cultures. He is committed to ongoing professional development and maintaining his extensive network of partnerships with other health providers and agencies throughout Auckland. Bruce leads support groups and provides one-on-one support to men in West Auckland.
Andre leads support groups and provides one-on-one support to men on the North Shore.
He started off as a client of Tautoko Tāne, before working to become a Peer Support Worker himself. Having experienced the service we offer men; he is uniquely placed to offer support and care to others who need it.
Outside of work Andre is a car enthusiast and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Jenny supports the Better Blokes team in their mahi. With a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy, a Bachelor of Psychology and over 10 years’ experience in public service, she is well equipped to help keep things running smoothly.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Jenny finds joy and fulfilment in various activities that enrich her life. Whether she is immersed in a captivating book, enjoying quality time with friends, or exploring the great outdoors on horseback, Jenny embraces every opportunity to cultivate her passions and nurture her well-being. Looking ahead, Jenny envisions a future where she can continue her meaningful work at Better Blokes and transition away from the confines of corporate life to pursue a career that aligns more closely with her values and aspirations.
Sam is a psychotherapist and the lead support worker for the Auckland Central area. He conducts one-on-one therapy and also facilitates support groups.
With a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and a nearly complete Master of Psychotherapy, Sam is well-tooled to guide individuals towards their health and well-being goals. Through his training placements at a men’s prison and now at Better Blokes, Sam understands the unique needs of men and the present environment that men are finding difficult to navigate. Sam also brings extensive experience from several years of youth counselling.
A core tenet of Sam’s values comes from a motto from his high school – to love and to serve. Sam carries this mindset into both his personal life and approach with clients. Sam believes each individual is the expert on themselves and seeks to hold a position within therapy that is alongside the client, helping them to find what they need. His therapeutic approach is unique to each person and he strives to meet people where they are. He seeks to provide a strong relationship and safe environment for people to unpack, understand, process and move forward with their difficulties are.
In his personal life, Sam likes to spend time with friends and family. His hobbies include sports and exercise, gaming, films, cooking and being in nature.
As the general manager at Better Blokes, Simon Johnson has recently dedicated 2.5 years of his life to helping men on their wellbeing journey. With a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy, a Bachelor of History, and a Bachelor of Ministries in Practical Theology, Simon is well-equipped to guide individuals towards a path of healing and self-discovery.
In his personal life, Simon finds joy and fulfilment in activities such as sailing and playing the bass. These hobbies serve as a source of relaxation and connection with nature, which aligns with his passion project of starting “Sailing for Wellbeing” – a venture that aims to take people on weekend sailing journeys to promote holistic well-being. When it comes to values, Simon holds honesty, integrity, and truth with grace in high regard.
His decisions are guided by the principle of speaking the truth in love, which reflects his compassionate nature and desire to help others grow and heal. Describing himself as introverted, creative, and successful, Simon embodies these qualities in his work at Better Blokes and in his personal endeavours. His go-to inspirational quote, “The Truth will set you Free – Be True to Yourself and Success will Follow,” emphasises the importance of authenticity and self-awareness in achieving personal growth and success. Simon’s commitment to helping others, his dedication to personal growth, and his passion for sailing and music make him a well-rounded individual with a strong sense of purpose and compassion. Through his work at Better Blokes and his future endeavours, Simon continues to inspire and uplift those around him with his genuine and caring approach to life.
Poutoa is a father and great grandfather born in Samoa but raised in New Zealand. He facilitates a number of support groups and also one to one support sessions in the South Auckland area. He has been with Better Blokes for 6 years. He also works for the Salvation Army where he facilitates a prison group.
Pou has found over his years with Better Blokes that while he does the work for the benefit of his men, he also gains as much from mahi as do the men – it’s a two way process almost like self-therapy. Outside of Better Blokes Pou enjoys spending time with family, sports, faith, camping and personal exercise. Pou is hoping to do some more travel in the next few years too, possibly to Israel and the U.S. One of the values that Pou holds dear is the mana that every person holds, regardless of their behaviours. Because of this, everybody deserves respect, love and compassion. Pou describes himself as an empathetic, understanding person created in the image of God.
Dave founded Better Blokes over 15 years ago now and has a passion for supporting men healing from Trauma. Dave is the West Auckland area coordinator and a peer support worker. He also sits on the Better Blokes Board. He is a long-term resident of West Auckland and is married with 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
Dave is a qualified builder and has also trained as a teacher, body therapist, grief facilitator and peer support worker. Dave is also a keen sportsman; having been a provincial rugby representative and gaining honours in both Taekwondo and endurance running. Some of his other interests include; prayer and meditation, connecting with cultures other than his own and walking.
In his work Dave has found as he is able to offer identification and acceptance of others’ pain, he too is able to heal from his own pain. Dave values commitment and loyalty and is learning to leave space for God as decisions and life guidance occur.
As Dave helps men to heal from trauma he is hopeful of creating a more loving and peaceful nation of Aotearoa New Zealand and connecting with other likeminded individuals and organisations around the world.
Patrick first ventured into this line of work by enrolling in Lifeline’s telephone counselling training program, Survivors, which focused on addressing men’s issues through a service called Mensline. He dedicated 4 ½ years to this cause, committing to two evening shifts a month. During his time there, he participated in Essentially Men’s introductory weekend course, leading him to join a men’s group that he remained actively involved in for about 15 years.
Additionally, Patrick pursued further education in the field, completing a paper in Family Systems and a Group Facilitation course with HD&T. About four years ago, he responded to an advertisement from Better Blokes seeking assistance with men’s groups. Since then, he has engaged in various training weekends and week-long programs offered by Better Blokes and Male Survivors Aotearoa. Currently, Patrick is leading support groups and providing one-on-one support to men on the North Shore.
Peter Syke has over 40 years of experience as a community worker in Central and South Auckland, dedicated to supporting vulnerable and marginalised groups and individuals. He has worked with the Anglican Church, ME Family Services for 30 years and currently serves as an independent community activist. Peter holds qualifications in education, social policy, sociology, youth work, liberation theology, business, and regenerative practice.
Peter has been involved with Better Blokes for a couple of years and previously engaged with the South Auckland team during his time at ME Family Services, providing a link for men living with trauma. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board for the outgoing Incorporated Society and the new Charitable Trust. His decision to join Better Blokes was driven by a desire to support groups working on the margins that focus on providing support and empowerment for men. Outside of his involvement with Better Blokes, Peter finds joy and fulfilment in being a life member of Mangere East Hawks RL, engaging in community regeneration projects such as tree planting and caring for local parks and environments, and actively supporting his family and grandchildren. Additionally, he has been a candidate for the Green Party in Mangere in the past two elections. The values that are most important to Peter in life include relationships and connection, respect, humility, and diversity.
