In Melbourne, a quiet yet pressing issue is emerging among its Indian male residents: isolation. Often hidden beneath cultural expectations of stoicism and self-reliance, this problem has largely gone unnoticed. But for Sanchit Jain, the Community Development Officer at IndianCare, the silence has grown too loud to ignore.
This Thursday, 27 March, Jain is unveiling The Namaste Network—Indian Men’s Circle. Launched under the umbrella of IndianCare, a nonprofit organisation supporting Melbourne’s Indian diaspora, the initiative is designed to provide a safe, non-judgmental space aimed at breaking down the cultural barriers that often prevent men from opening up.
“The idea came from our community needs assessment,” Jain explains. “IndianCare has always focused on women’s issues, particularly those facing family violence and other crises. But we were missing something crucial—the men.”
“The Namaste Network isn’t just another program. It’s a movement to rewrite the narrative for Indian men in Melbourne. Indian men are expected to ‘figure it out alone,’” says Jain. “But that silence leads to isolation, stress, and emotional struggles. We’re creating a space where they can talk openly.”
The statistics are sobering. In Australia, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, with rates even higher among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. According to recent data, around 18 percent of Australian men—nearly one in five—experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. In 2022 alone, 2,455 Australian men died by suicide, accounting for 75.6 percent of all suicide deaths. That’s roughly seven male suicides every day.
Yet, research on mental health within CALD communities remains scarce. People from these backgrounds not only report lower prevalence of mental health conditions but also access mental health services at significantly lower rates than the general population. In 2011, while 7–8 percent of Australians accessed Medicare-subsidised mental health services, this number dropped to 5–6 percent for CALD populations. For instance, 8.0 percent of Australian-born English speakers received mental health care in 2011, compared to just 5.6 percent of overseas-born individuals speaking a non-English language at home.
That’s where Jain’s new initiative comes into play. “There’s a lot of silence around this issue,” Jain says. “We’re trying to break that.”
The Namaste Network program will gram will run every two weeks, alternating between workshops and social activities. Workshops will cover practical skills—like filing taxes, understanding insurance, or basic home repairs—while activities will focus on building connections through poetry nights, board games, or bowling.
These sessions will last about 1.5 hours, offering a balance of learning and bonding time. In Jain’s view, the goal isn’t just to address mental health directly but to help men feel competent and confident in other aspects of their lives as well.
The initiative is launching in Wyndham, a suburb with a large Indian population. Jain has been working closely with the Wyndham Council, which has provided subsidised venue space at the Tarneit Community Learning Centre.
To facilitate meaningful conversations, Jain plans to use ice-breaker activities and storytelling. “We’ll start with simple questions: What’s been the hardest part of moving to Australia? How do you deal with stress? These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they’re necessary.”
“It’s about creating a sense of belonging. Many of these men are isolated, especially those aged 30 to 50. They’ve moved here for work or family, but they’re struggling to adapt. This is a space where they can learn, grow, and connect.”
Jain’s journey to this role has been anything but linear. Born in India, he has lived in Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai, working on initiatives related to climate change and food insecurity before moving to Melbourne to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration. “I’ve always been drawn to work that creates tangible change,” he says. “This project feels like the culmination of everything I’ve done so far.”
The first event, scheduled for March 27, will be a modest gathering of around 20 men. “It’s a small start,” Jain admits, “but the key is consistency. We’ll keep showing up, and the word will spread.”
The long-term vision is ambitious. Jain hopes to expand the program to other councils, using Wyndham as a model. “If we can document the impact—if we can show that this works—we can create something truly transformative,” he says.
But for now, the focus is on building trust. “This isn’t about forcing men to open up,” Jain says. “It’s about creating a space where they feel safe to do so. And that takes time.”
On the broader implications of the initiative, Jain adds, “When men are supported, it benefits the whole family and creates a ripple effect throughout the community.”
For Jain, it’s promise worth fighting for.
- Launch Event: The Namaste Network
- Thursday, 27th March 2025 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Tarneit Community Learning Centre, Tarneit
- Register here
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🌟IndianCare launches 'The Namaste Network—Indian Men’s Circle' in Melbourne to tackle isolation among Indian men. 🧠The initiative offers workshops & social activities to foster connection & #mentalhealth support. 🤝#TheIndianSun😊 #MentalHealthMattershttps://t.co/tQNrSVa2ye
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