The aim of M.A.N. is to raise awareness of issues impacting on males of all ages and to advocate on their behalf in order to promote their health and well-being in a holistic sense covering physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual components. This is based on the World Health Organisation's 1986 definition of health and encompasses all aspects of a person's life.
The primary role that M.A.N. plays is resourcing the sector through supporting service providers, organisations and professionals from various disciplines, who work with males of all ages. In addition M.A.N. refers individuals to the most appropriate services, plus provides general community education and raises awareness of the issues affecting males of all ages.
In 2002, M.A.N. received funding from the Department of Health to investigate the options for establishing and maintaining a viable network for community based men's groups in Western Australia. The rationale for this funding may be found in the government's election commitments contained in the Men's Health Direction Statement.
In 2003, following an extensive consultation process, M.A.N. produced an Action Plan that was structured around five primary functions identified by the strategic planning process:
- Networking
- Policy development
- Advocacy and lobbying
- Education of the general public and the media
- Information dissemination
It also added two further sections relating to the management of the organisation:
6. Resources
7. Organisation development
The current service agreement with the Department of Health is from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2007 and requires MAN to deliver the following outputs.
- Develop a website
- Produce an electronic newsletter
- Maintain a database and provide an information service
- Coordinate Men's Health Week-WA
- Coordinate seminars, workshops and public lectures
- Develop information resources
- Develop procedures for communication with the general public, the media and politicians