About Marcus Mission
Marcus Mission is a social support program that assists men who are navigating life’s challenges. Our aim is to go ‘upstream’ and help men to develop their skills and resilience before their life spirals. This program is all about men supporting men in S.E. Queensland.
Marcus Mission can:
– Introduce you to an everyday bloke who is a trained and skilled peer MENtor to offer mateship, support and connection.
– Help you to develop skills to cope with life’s challenges. Attend a Monthly Workshop (and a meal) at no cost.
– Help your mates and community members by becoming a skilled MENtor. This includes attending the 4 core skill development workshops, MENtor Coaching workshop, safety planning & suicide prevention training.
Whether you’re seeking support or interested in building skills and confidence to help your mates and your community, this program could be for you. Its philosophy is to provide a social support program for men who are seeking genuine connection and support from other men in an informal, non-judgmental setting.After 5 years, the Marcus Mission Program has been transitioned from Wesley Mission Queensland but is continuing to operate in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg regions under the guidance of Marcus Mission co-founder, Jon Morgan. From 2018 to 2022 the Marcus Mission Program benefited over 1000 men through resilience skills development and/or peer mentoring.
Workshops
Our skill building workshops are designed to be really informal, really engaging and encourage our men to speak their truth (when ready) in a safe and supportive environment. The workshops are designed specifically for men to help develop skills with the challenges that can often lead to suicide ideation and or suicide.
Face to face workshops (at no cost) are as follows. The 3 Area Coordinators will be happy to receive your call to attend:
Sunshine Coast – Jon Morgan 0419 774 194. Last Friday of the month at Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club- 8am breakfast & informal catch up before workshop at 9am
Gold Coast – Gary Cooper 0419 363 075. 3rd Thursday of the month at Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club 5.30 – 7.30pm with sausage sizzle@5
Bundaberg – Adrian Pearce 0458 600 099 . Last Monday of the month at Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre – 8am breakfast & informal catch up before workshop at 9am
Ipswich – Erik Kershaw 0434 686 042 or contact@fbrm.net. 1st Saturday of the month, Ipswich CBD (call Erik) 9.30am-12 noon with light lunch provided.
Online (zoom) workshops – 2nd Monday of the Month – 5.30 – 7.30pm
Meeting ID 657 896 6302 – Passcode 189517
Remembering Marcus
Marcus Roberts grew up in Bundaberg with his loving mum, dad and sister and many friends. He was 23 when he died by suicide in 2014 while battling with depression. Marcus was a creative, caring and compassionate young man who was loved by everyone. He loved photography, music and people. He felt things very deeply and didn’t have a lot of self esteem. So when he had a relationship break-up, lost his job and become socially isolated overseas, this led to debilitating depression. Marcus’ family was determined to change the statistics around men dying by suicide. Marcus Mission was developed to address the social support gap that was missing for Marcus and helps other men, with the same care and kindness that Marcus showed to others.
This is not a crisis service. If you or a loved one are in crisis, please call: Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or Men’s Line on 1800 041 612.
