Men’s safe spaces creating pathways for healing, connection and change – Dr Persaud

Creating safe spaces for men to open up, connect and seek support has become a critical focus, as efforts grow to address stigma, emotional barriers and mental health challenges they face.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud was a guest on the Starting Point Podcast when she said initiatives like the BRAVE Centre are meeting meet men where they are, providing an environment built on trust, confidentiality and peer support.

“These spaces are confidential, they’re among your peers, and there’s an element of mentorship. I believe there is real merit in role-modelling,” Dr. Persaud said.

Through the centre, a range of issues from mental and men’s health to personal development is addressed.

She said that many participants lacked positive influences growing up and through these spaces, and that these initiatives are helping to shape aspirations among men who often did not have supportive figures in their formative years.

However, getting men to participate remains a challenge.

“The idea is to meet men where they need to be met,” she said.

Another major barrier is vulnerability. According to Persaud, many men struggle with expressing emotions or seeking help due to societal expectations.

“Men are saying we just don’t know how to emote, we don’t know how to connect, we never got an “I love you” from our dad, we never got a hug, we never even had the presence of our dad or we probably have very dysfunctional or rough relationships with our mother,” she said.

She also pointed to the lingering stigma surrounding male victims of abuse, which continues to discourage men from speaking out.

“That stigma still exists, and it’s something we’ve been trying to break,” she said.

Persaud emphasised the need for more compassionate responses within society, including at institutions like police stations.

“As a society, we need to be kinder. Many men feel judged before they even open their mouths, and it takes maturity to listen without being judgmental,” she said.

She said is it imperative that men understand that rehabilitation is possible and that support is there.