Youth crime is a complex problem, one which the Top Blokes Foundation – a young men’s mental health charity – is striving to reduce by mentoring males to become their best selves.
Top Blokes Darling Downs regional coordinator Dan Hughes and a youth worker deliver the weekly sessions to groups of 10 boys aged 14-17 at several Toowoomba high schools.
“The six-month program helps teens foster better mental health, more responsible decision-making and deeply respectful relationships,” Mr Hughes said.
"We create a safe space for them for them to engage in the discussion. The sessions are flexible too – they are guided by the boys, their experiences, and their challenges,” he said.
The weekly sessions cover issues such as mental health, drugs and alcohol, anger management, risk-taking, suicide, the realities of pornography, respectful relationships, consent, and social media.
Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP said he hoped all Toowoomba schools would adopt the Top Blokes program.
“The Top Blokes program specifically addresses the needs of young men in our community who are at the prime risk-taking stage of their lives,” Mr Janetzki said.
“Never before has there been more need for positive male role models to connect with our teenagers who are at risk of disengaging,” he said.
“We have seen the huge spike of youth crime in Toowoomba. Top Blokes recognises that young people want to feel like they belong – and often youth crime gives them a sense of belonging when they don’t have that anywhere else in their lives.
“Top Blokes will greatly benefit our community and is an excellent example of early intervention that our city desperately needs.”
Mr Hughes said their program had reduced anti-social behaviour for 77% of the participants in the Toowoomba South electorate.
“It’s about empowering young men to step into manhood with wisdom and courage,” he said.
“A lot of young men are struggling to find themselves, regardless of whether they come from low socio-economic circumstances or attend very affluent private schools.”
Mr Hughes said it was rewarding the see the boys use their new-found knowledge and skills to connect with others outside the classroom.
“One of our youth workers Korey recently delivered a workshop addressing racism and stereotyping, and it was quite confronting and challenging for the young men in that private school,” Mr Hughes said.
“When we returned the next week, we learnt the young men had sought out the Yazidi students at school they had previously not engaged with and had been curiously questioning them about their lives and culture,” he said.
Top Blokes is currently mentoring boys in five primary schools and nine high schools across the Darling Downs.
The Junior program is modified to suit 10–13-year-old boys. They are also trialling a pilot program for men aged 18-24 at the RAAF Base Amberley.
Dylan’s story
Wilsonton State High School Year 8 student Dylan Hunt, 13, is one of the latest Top Bloke program graduates.
Dylan has been using his new skills to help his friends stay out of fights.
His friends seek out his advice more often and he has now been dubbed the “therapist” of their group.
“Top Blokes taught me a lot and it was the favourite part of my day,” Dylan said.
“It showed me how I can help my mates out with stuff that they’ve been going through,” he said.
“And I’ve learned to always take it easy when it comes to drugs and alcohol.”
Dylan’s Mum Elizabeth is very happy with his positive progress since undertaking the Top Blokes Program.
“I’ve had no issues getting him to school – on the Top Blokes day he was there an hour early,” Ms Hunt said.
“He has opened up a lot more about his feelings,” she said.
“The workshop which explained to the kids what drugs and alcohol can do to them, and their family, was helpful.
“Every male should go through the Top Blokes program.”