Helping the next generation

Two friends in their twenties are changing the way young men view their health and wellbeing.

Chris Lee and Marco Copobianco of Conviction Group. Picture: Phil Rogers

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Two friends in their twenties have set out to change the health and wellbeing of the next generation of young men.

Chris Lee, of Baulkham Hills, and Marco Capobianco, of Castle Hill, founded Conviction Group to encourage young men to talk about their health.

The non-for-profit aims to reduce the stigma around men discussing their health or asking for help, and encourages students to start open conversations about challenges they face, including alcohol-fuelled violence and drugs.

Chris Lee also attended World Youth Day in Poland earlier this year as a group leader for the Catholic diocese of Parramatta. Picture: Peter Kelly

After losing his left eye during a drunken brawl in Kings Cross as an 18-year-old, Mr Lee wanted to start a group that talked to school students.

Mr Capobianco – who met Mr Lee at a youth leadership forum in 2012 – offered to help, and Conviction Group was born. The group ran its first youth forum last year and recently began mentoring programs in schools across the Hills and Blacktown.

“The forum is really an idea of the start of this conversation, and the boys mentoring program is a way the schools can continue that conversation,” Mr Capobianco said.

The Conviction Group has already seen strong results from its programs.

“I think in general, guys are starting to break through this idea that they can’t talk,” Mr Capobianco said.

Mr Lee said he hoped to expand Conviction Group in the next few years while maintaining strong local community connections.

Marco Capobianco was a Pride of Australia finalist last year. Picture: Adam Yip

“I want to get it to the stage where it is something that every Year 10 boy in Australia can go through,” he said.

“ ... It’s about thinking bigger but also working local.”

Mr Capobianco said he was proud of what the group had achieved and said its success was a credit to the team.

“We have a really active board, we have wonderful volunteers,” he said.

Mr Lee said he was proud of Conviction Group’s volunteer team of more than 100 male facilitators, aged 18-30.

“As time goes on I really see the change in a lot of the facilitators … and the fact that we are able to bring so many diverse guys together for the cause is something I’m really proud of,” he said.

You can nominate someone who has inspired you through their dedication, initiative, courage or acts of charity. They can be a neighbour, friend, teammate, colleague or family member.

For more information or to nominate someone visit prideofaustralia.com.au