The Shed

The Shed:  Connecting Men With Essential Services

The Shed was established in 2004 as a partnership between the University of Western Sydney, MHIRC and the Holy Family Church at Mount Druitt.

The Shed provides support to men whom we consider to be at risk of serious stress and suicide, generally on account of cumulative stress often due to disadvantaged situations. Most of these men are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin since these are often the men most at risk. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has funded the project, since 2004 from funds available in the National Strategy for Prevention of Suicide (NSPS) (opens in a new window) .

Governor Professor Marie Bashir AV, CVO opens The Shed in August 2004

The Shed meets the needs of many men. The workers at the Shed listen to the men and re-direct them to points of service such as public housing providers, legal services or financial counsellors.

Alternatively, services providers access men at the Shed, notably Probation and Parole, mental health services, Housing and employment services. The services are encouraged to see the Shed as the men’s space and not an extension of their offices.

It has been described as a "one stop shop" for men in need and enjoys enormous support from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with elders actively involved in its direction.

MHIRC sees this engagement as an opportunity to learn with and from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.