Kiama Launches Free Monthly Brunch to Support Men's Mental Health

Kiama, Australia - A new initiative aimed at promoting men's mental health is set to take place in Kiama, with the Barstool Brothers partnering with the Kiama Leagues Club to launch a free monthly brunch starting on July 13, 2025. This community-focused event is designed to foster connections among men, providing a relaxed environment to discuss mental health issues and build supportive networks.

The brunch will be held at Cedar Cutters Sports Bar, starting at 10:30 AM, and will offer free coffee and bacon and egg rolls for attendees. According to Daniel Chin, General Manager of the Raising The Bar Foundation, which established the Barstool Brothers program in 2019, the initiative aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in men and create a community of awareness and understanding. Chin stated, “We want to effectively run events that remove as many barriers as possible, and one of those is financial. It is important to have a great partner like the Kiama Leagues Club and make it possible for everyone to attend.”

Madeline Battagello, Marketing Manager of Kiama Leagues Club, emphasized the importance of community involvement in mental health initiatives, noting the growing interest in such programs. “There are a lot of men’s health initiatives popping up, so it is at the forefront of everyone’s mind and receiving a lot of interest,” Battagello remarked.

The relevance of these initiatives is underscored by findings from the study "Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health," which reveals that mental ill-health remains a significant issue among Australian men. The study indicates that up to 25% of men may experience a diagnosed mental health disorder in their lifetime, with 15% experiencing a disorder within a 12-month period.

Chin pointed out the need for informal gatherings: “What we want to do is put a spot out there for blokes to get together and build those connections in a bit more of a natural situation. That’s really important for us to make it as easy as possible and as accessible as possible.” He added that the intimidating nature of discussions surrounding mental health can often prevent men from seeking help.

Battagello also highlighted the need to cater to the unique challenges faced by men working irregular hours, suggesting that hosting such events could open up opportunities for more community engagement regarding mental health.

The Barstool Brothers brunch is part of a broader movement to enhance mental health awareness and support systems for men across Australia. With increasing recognition of mental health as a pressing issue, community-led initiatives like this brunch underscore the importance of fostering connections and dialogue among men.

The first brunch will take place on Sunday, July 13, and aims to be a welcoming space for men in the Kiama community who may be struggling with mental health challenges. For additional information, interested individuals can visit the Kiama Leagues Club's website at www.kiamaleagues.com/events/kiama-monthly-brunch.

For those in need of immediate support, Lifeline can be reached at 131 114, and Beyond Blue is available at 1300 224 636.