Opinion: Men talking has been healthy

June is Men's health month.

June is Men's Health Month, and there has been a lot happening locally to shift the focus away from "What's the matter with you" and, instead, get men talking about "What matters to you".

That is because when we identify what is important to us, it's easier to recognise how our health and wellbeing contributes to, or impacts, this.

Healthy Families Whanganui Rangitikei Ruapehu has been involved in some of the great activities on offer.

And during this time we have witnessed some important "What matters to you" conversations between the participating men.

Those conversations have varied from facial hair appreciation, to being able to run around and keep up with their kids, to first-hand experiences in relation to major health trauma.

Through Men's Health Month, we've learned that more needs to be done to encourage and support men to talk about and take action on their health. One way this is happening is through encouraging community legends to open up and share what matters to them.

Men from across the community -- including Wanganui rugby players, Maori health workers, police and everyday members of the public -- have done just that.

And they have created short videos about what matters to them, which are then shared on social media in an effort to create more conversations and start breaking down the walls that are often present when it comes to this important issue.

As a community, we all have a role to play in creating a supportive environment that is conducive to men prioritising their wellbeing for all the reasons that matter to them.

So to be a whanau champion, post your clip about "What matters to you" #WMTY17 and contribute to the movement of change.

If you are interested in ways to make healthy change in your life, check out the Healthy Families Whanganui Rangitikei Ruapehu website and join the movement to create a culture where the healthy choice is the easy choice where we live, learn, work and play.