Electronic Networks - Building Community, 2002

In cyber-space someone hears your cry: An alternative pathway for men seeking relationship information and support

Terry Melvin, Mens' Line Australia; Natalie Collins, Infoxchange

Men's Line Australia is an Australian first, 24 hour - 7 days a week national telephone counselling, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. Since its launch on September 26th, 2001, the service has received over 14,000 calls to the end of January 2002. Of the successful callers, 87% were men dealing predominantly with relationship issues and coping difficulties.

Men's Line Australia is a Commonwealth Government initiative and part funded by the Department of Family and Community Services. It was established in response to community concern about the high suicide rate, depression, social isolation and other dysfunctional responses to grief and loss experienced by men when faced with relationship breakdown, separation or other relationship difficulties.

To complement the telephone component of its service, Men's Line Australia established a web-site with the cooperation and technical input of Infoxchange. The use of this technology was seen as an alternative gateway for men seeking help and support. This site which provides on-line information and resources, has received over 65,000 hits since its inauguration.

This paper will explore the developments of the web-site, the applications used, the response by users, some of the difficulties and the potential usage of a web-site in responding to the needs of the target group.