Grant: Operating Grant

The purpose of the proposed study is to explore Aboriginal men's experiences and perceptions of the positive steps to health and wellbeing to inform an understanding of what constitutes appropriate, culturally safe health and social services and support for men whose lives have been influenced by multiple forms of trauma and violence and are shaped by substance use, poverty, chronic illness etc. This is a participatory study employing a mixed methods approach which includes: in-depth individual and focus group interviews, photovoice, observations, analysis of clinic utilization data and an analysis of the health organization. The research objectives are: 1. to explore the men's perspectives of health and well-being and their experiences of those factors that have shaped positive health and well-being; 2. to explore provider's perspectives on health and well-being and their experiences of what constitutes positive health and social supports for men; 3. to explore the perceptions of the wider lived community, e.g., elders, women etc. regarding the health promotion needs of men; 4. to examine the organization of men's groups, financial issues, contracts, professionalized or community services, philosophical underpinnings of groups and their approach etc. within the recruitment site; 5. to document men's utilization of health care, i.e., frequency of clinic visits, nature of visits, linkages to other resources etc., and men's groups; and 6. to engage with partners and participants in the dissemination of knowledge. Men, particularly those living with histories of mental health and addictions issues and trauma, access care less frequently and often only seek treatment late in the illness process when medical conditions and symptoms are severe. Despite this, men's health issues have been largely glossed over by decision making bodies and little is known about men's distinct health experiences and their health and social support needs.