The 'Linking Men with Health and Social Services in the Eastern Goldfields' project aims to enhance access of men in the Goldfields to health and social service for early intervention rather than in crisis. The target group is men in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region focusing on those working in the mining industry. The project originates in a partnership between the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Public Health Unit and Eastern Goldfields Medical Division of General Practice Ltd. The Division has facilitated activities since May 2000.

Implementation of the project features the employment of a Men's Health Project Officer to implement planned strategies. These strategies include: linking Occupational Health and Safety Officers to local health and social services to implement programs targeting social, mental, physical and emotional wellbeing; develop a service directory; develop portable information stands to take to areas where men congregate (pubs, sporting venues and worksites).

Other aims include improving men's awareness to specific health issues, coordinating links between stakeholders providing services for men and their families and improving the ability of services already available to meet demands.

Consultation with community stakeholders has been extensive. The advantage of having established the Goldfields Men's Health Inc. over the past two years has resulted in the collaboration in this project by many organisations. Administration of the group has been facilitated by the Division of General Practice. The development of the project has also involved representation and direct participation by Federal and State politicians based in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Liaison with service providers in the prison system, mining industry, middle and/or upper management of some government organisations has already commenced. A significant feature of the project has been the appointment and consultation with Consumer Representatives on the Goldfields Men's Health Inc.

As part of the resource development and connecting the community to services, the Division of General Practice has developed and funded this website in consultation with Goldfields Men's Health Inc. Future activities include a Men's Health Forum in May 2002 and the employment of a Research Officerto provide quantative and qualitative assesment of local men's health issues.