The Grampians, or Gariwerd as it is known to its traditional owners, will play host this week to more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males from across Australia. Mibbinbah Limited is holding a five-day training camp from 8 to 13 November that will give its participants an insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Worker training.

Mibbinbah is working alongside beyondblue: the national depression initiative, The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Andrology Australia and MensLine Australia to deliver this introductory training. Each of the organisations will bring a unique and exciting component to the camp along with some cheeky fun: the world's biggest undies will be making an appearance at the camp along with some other special events.

Jack Bulman, CEO of Mibbinbah, says: "The aim of this camp is to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males the opportunity to see what would be involved in taking up a certificate as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker. If they wish to continue on with training Mibbinbah and its partners will support individuals to become Male Health Workers. Mibbinbah will also be encouraging those who partake in further training to become trainers themselves so that their skills can be passed on to others. The men then become leaders not only in their own community but in the wider community as well. We believe this will go a long way in helping to close the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians."

The development of the Finding Pathways camp has come out of a research project that was jointly funded by the CRC for Aboriginal Health and beyondblue looking at the health benefits of safe spaces for males, or men's sheds as they are often called.

The camp will also provide practical and exciting workshops for participants in areas such as Hip Hop dance, cultural identity and traditional medicine.

"Exposing participants to a range of workshops may help individuals find their own pathways into further study," Jack says. "Health worker training is being delivered as there were requests from the men themselves, but we are aware that not everyone will choose the same career path so we hope to provide participants with alternatives to health worker training should it not be for them. This engagement gives renewed hope for the lads and builds their capacity further. From our experience these camps are very powerful spiritually. "

Mibbinbah has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males are more likely to suffer from long-term health problems such as chronic conditions than non-Indigenous males, and that there is a direct link between poor health and lack of education and unemployment. By providing a culturally safe environment for participants Mibbinbah can work towards improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.