Next month will mark the launch of the CMHA Grey Bruce's annual My Dad's Group program.
The 11 week program is one of a number of programs offered under the CMHA Men's Programs umbrella, and as Liam Nicoll, the Program Supervisor for the Men's Program at CMHA Grey Bruce explains, this annual initiative is meant to be a supportive environment for male parents and role models.
"The objective of this program is to provide an environment for men to learn, embrace and accept their roles and responsibilities as fathers or male role models, to enhance their children's well-being," Nicoll explained. "Through that connection and learning through experiences, we're fostering that sense of community, connection and that idea that you're not parenting alone. There's other people out there that are maybe going through similar experiences or similar struggles as you."
Nicoll says that sense of community can be a huge boost to the mental health of the men who participate, as one of the major negative factors on male mental health can be isolation and feeling alone. This group aims to help break that down.
"If we're able to put down those walls or those barriers that we have when it comes to opening up and being vulnerable, then we're able to have not only more connection and enriched nuanced lives with our children, but with ourselves, as well," Nicoll pointed out.
The free 11 week program launches in early May. Owen Sound will host events starting Monday, May 5 and Hanover will host events beginning Tuesday, May 6. The weekly sessions run from 6-8:30 p.m., including a free catered meal for the first half hour. Following the meal, Nicoll says every session will see facilitator's lead discussions that help the men there feel part of a community.
"Facilitators presenting information and then having discussions as a group. The biggest thing that I hear even from other men's groups that we run, is hearing from other folks and having that connection and learning and listening from other people's experiences, it's very valuable," added Nicoll.
To register for the sessions, visit https://greybruce.cmha.ca/programs/my-dads-group/. Alternatively, you can call Liam Nicoll at 519-372-2720 or email mp@cmhagb.org to get walked through the registration process that way.