An overwhelming number of people an evening in celebration of Men's Health Month.

Organised by the Cook Islands Youth National Council (CIYNC), president Lexi Mackenzie-Hoff expressed the importance of the project, “Men’s health is super important, we need a healthy society, we need healthy men.

“Our vision is to keep getting our men out there, creating a safe space, starting a conversation and asking how can I help,” she said to a crowd of more than 100 people.

The Men’s Couch Talk, held at the Muri Beach Club Hotel on Monday evening, was aimed at creating a safe space for men of any age, background and experience to share their journey with the hope of inspiring others to start the conversation about the importance of men’s health and wellbeing.

Couch Talk host on the night VaNic Teina noted, “CIYNC has 90 per cent female members and they are hosting a men’s couch talk… it shows you the importance of how much they (women) care.”

He too hopes that the talks will encourage, inspire and give confidence to others to share their struggles and reach out for help or guidance.

Five brave young men: Aio Tou, Reikorangi Ellison, Henry Koteka and Ngatupuna Kae shared intimate windows of their life journeys with the respectful audience.

Former rugby league professional and ambassador for Te Marae Moana project Kevin Iro also sat on the Couch Talk panel.

Iro revealed he had been approached by several people wanting to discuss the Cook Islands Sports Academy (CISA) - a youth programme that he led back in 2006 and ran for several years.

In 2010 the CISA sports-based programme was based at Nikao Maori School along with Te Uki Tumanava - a trades-based programme for youth at risk, and a new initiative at the time, Rakei Toa, which would help to empower young boys with the skills and education they need during life; the programmes enabled the students to choose the pathway of sports or a trade and develop a good work ethic to get through life.

Iro showed concern at the statistics that deemed Cook Islands as the ‘highest consumers of alcohol in the world’, the alarming number of unhealthy men on Rarotonga as noted by Dr Fariu, and the annual White Ribbon Day campaign to end Violence Against Women.

“How did we get to this place, especially for our men, that this is us in a negative light?” Iro asked the audience.

He said he believes there is also a spiritual side to those who live here, who understand the effects on our communities, and on our nation as a whole.

The Couch Champions panel on the night were: Phillip Henderson - Chamber of Commerce, Dr Debbi Futter-Puati - University of the South Pacific, Sarah Cragg - Compassion Project, Mark Henderson - Confluence Cook Islands LLC, Dr Evangeline Wong - Te Marae Ora Mental Health, Owen Lewis - CISNOC and Rebekah Buchanan - Punanga Tauturu Inc.

CINYC is working towards building stronger relationships with community stakeholders especially those who work with and champion young people.