The stigma around men asking for help with their mental health, said the executive director of Vernon's Family Resource Centre (FRC), is changing.
With Men's Mental Health Week running June 10-16, Jim Swingle and the centre encourage men across the North Okanagan to take the first step toward healing by accessing the mental health support they deserve.
FRC offers free and affordable counselling and support services tailored to men facing issues such as trauma, stress, grief, anger, relationship challenges, and isolation. Services include one-on-one trauma counselling and solution-focused counselling, as well as workshops on Anger Management and Parenting Through Emotion.
FRC also runs Man Cave, a monthly men乌鸦传媒檚 activity group.
乌鸦传媒淥ur doors are open to any man who乌鸦传媒檚 struggling, whether it乌鸦传媒檚 with a specific trauma or just the weight of life,乌鸦传媒� said Swingle.
The centre's trauma-informed approach focuses on creating a safe, respectful, and confidential environment. Counselling is offered in-person or virtually, with no referral necessary and sliding-scale fees for those in financial need.
While Men乌鸦传媒檚 Mental Health Week highlights the importance of checking in, FRC reminds the community that support is available year-round.
"We want men to know that asking for help isn乌鸦传媒檛 a weakness 乌鸦传媒� it乌鸦传媒檚 strength,乌鸦传媒� said Gabe Newman, counsellor at the FRC and facilitator of the Man Cave group. 乌鸦传媒淭here is support, and there is hope.乌鸦传媒�
The Family Resource Centre is a charitable non-profit that provides free and affordable counselling, mental health services, support groups, and other programs to residents of the Okanagan.
For more information, visit , call them at 250-545-3390, or email them at .
