The JourneyMen Men’s Program

The JourneyMen Men’s Program at Counselling Services, University of Guelph is a program designed to assist men in the process of self-exploration, self-discovery and personal growth. The program is provided for students at the University of Guelph, with an annual symposium also open to the larger community. The program is operated within the belief that healthier, happier boys and men translates into healthier, happier and better functioning families and communities.

The Men’s Group:

Each fall and winter semester, Counselling Services offers the ‘Men’s Group’.  This group is available to all male students on campus and is led by a male counsellor/therapist.  The group is intended to offer a confidential and respectful environment for young men to talk openly and honestly about any concern or issue they might have.  Some examples of issues discussed in the group are:  intimate relationships, updating ‘masculinity’, stress and anxiety, depression, sexuality, homophobia, anger, violence, gender relations, social pressures, academic struggles, peer pressure, family, spirituality and substance use/abuse.

The philosophy of the men’s group is to offer non-judgmental support and guidance.  At the same time we encourage open and honest feedback from the group and, when appropriate, constructive and respectful challenge and psycho-education from the leaders.

Group members are often involved in the coordination of the JourneyMen Symposium.

The JourneyMen Symposium:

Once a year the JourneyMen Men’s Program and the students of the Men’s Group coordinate and run a symposium on men’s issues at the University of Guelph. The symposium is open to all men and women of the university and community at large.

The purpose of the symposium is to provide an open, public forum for the presentation and discussion of issues that are of particular concern to men and those concerned with the well-being of men. It is also a forum within which men may safely, openly and honestly tell their personal and collective stories, which are seldom heard.

Examples of issues addressed at the symposium to date include: masculinity in the 21st century, masculine mythology, men in relationships, the negative portrayal of men in the media, the impact of shame, the abuse of boys, diversity amongst men, sexuality, queer issues, anger, violence and doing personal growth work with men.

The JourneyMen Symposium has been featured on CBC radio’s “The Current”, TVO’s “More to Life”, Rogers Television and CFRU radio.

More Information

For more information about the JourneyMen Men’s Program please contact:

Rob Baldwin
Counselling Services
University of Guelph
(519) 824-4120, Ext. 54694
rbaldwin@uoguelph.ca