City slams State decision to cut men's health funding

The City of Greater Geraldton has slammed a decision by the WA Health Department to discontinue funding for mental health organisation Midwest Men’s Health.

And a local member is seeing if the much-used group can be “propped up”.

MMH — who last year helped more than 6000 in Geraldton and the Mid West — announced last weekend it was closing.

Besides one-on-one counselling, the organisation also works with youth.

City mayor Ian Carpenter said MMH provided a service no other organisation offered, and was an important part of the social fabric to Geraldton.

He described it as a “drastic shame” to lose MMH.

“I’m very disappointed because I believe Midwest Men’s Health performs a very important function in our community,” he said.

“It draws to the attention of men some of the issues they need to take account of, things like having regular blood pressure checks, PSA tests, bowel cancer screenings and those sort of very, very important things.”

Mr Carpenter said the loss of what he described as an invaluable organisation, was not only a loss to Geraldton, but the Mid West as well.

“Geraldton itself is served very well with health professionals, but once you get outside to the smaller towns, a lot of those services aren’t available,” he said.

“I know the Government is cutting back on a lot of things, but people in those smaller towns miss out on those services that are readily available in regional centres.

“I think the regional centres have a responsibility to try to advocate for them.”

MMH opened in 2000, and employs three full-time and two part-time staff.

People come in from the streets for private counselling sessions in a “cuppa and a chat” program.

Member for Moore Shane Love said he was staggered with the news MMH is closing.

He said he contacted the office of the Minister for Regional Development on Monday to see if they can try to prop-up the organisation.

“I’ve had dealings with them throughout the region, it’s disappointing indeed,” he said.

“I’ve also spoken to the chair of the Midwest Men’s Health to get an understanding of what’s going on.

“I’m looking to work with them to find some funding to keep it open, because I don’t want to see it close.”

HAVE YOUR SAY: Email peter.sweeney@geraldtonnewspapers.com.au with "MMH closure" in the subject line.

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