Mensline Auckland is being shut down, but Christchurch Mensline continues strong.

Lifeline Auckland is suspending its "Mensline" telephone counselling service, it announced on Thursday.

This will not affect the older, independent organisation Christchurch Mensline, which offers an open men's support group every week.

Christchurch Mensline began in 1987 as a telephone counselling service, but added a weekly open men's group as a complementary service for men. The phone service was discontinued in the mid 1990s, but the mens group remains.

The confusion between the two different organisations is compounded because both groups are known simply as "Mensline".

The loss of Mensline Auckland is a blow to men nationwide. It has provided support to men throughout the country -- including in Christchurch -- thanks to an 0800 number that has made their service accessible to men in even the most remote areas.

Christchurch Mensline is an all-volunteer group with minimal costs, but even it is affected by funding shortages. "We have been strongly supported in the past by Hagley Community College through their night class funding, a portion of which was made available to community groups," said Christchurch Mensline president Peter Moore. "Unfortunately, when the government cut 80% of ACE (Adult Community Education) funding last year, it affected many, many community groups, including ours."

Christchurch Mensline has waxed and waned in numbers over the years, but that has mostly been about how much the group could afford for publicity. "Our largest ever group was about 30. Recently we have averaged around seven or eight. It's very much tied to what we spend on advertising. And that in turn is about funding," Moore said.

Men come to the Christchurch group for as little as one meeting, or as much as ten years. The average is a couple of months.

Men often come in a time of need after a split with a partner, a job loss or difficulty with a child.

"Men say they appreciate being heard in a non-judgmental atmosphere," Moore said. "Some men find it easier to talk about personal things with a stranger than a friend."

"It's great to have a place where I can talk about 'real' stuff," said one group member. "Women have their girlfriends to talk to about all that stuff. We men tend to only talk about rugby, racing and beer. I like that. I like being a bloke. But sometimes I want to talk about real stuff, too."

Another group member observed, "I always leave Mensline feeling a million tons lighter. This service just has to be kept open"

Christchurch Mensline has supported men for 23 years, and its future seems strong. "But like any community group, we live from grant to grant, so we can never rest on our laurels. The loss of ACE funding makes it harder than ever. I am hopeful, though, that we will be here for another 23 years to come."

Mensline meets every Tuesday night from 7:15 to 9:30 at Christchurch Community House, 141 Hereford st. All men are welcome. A nominal donation of five dollars is requested from attendees. More information on 365-4239.

Mensline will be holding an AGM on Tuesday 9 March at 6:00 pm at the same location.

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