Josh Turk was 14 years old and going through a tough time when he was introduced to a new Canberra support organisation.
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More than a decade later Mr Turk is giving back through the same organisation, helping a young boy through similar things he went through.
Menslink is celebrating 15 years of operation in the Canberra community. CEO Martin Fisk has been with the organisation for the past six years, and he continues to build it up as a vital support service for young men in the community.
"The main purpose of Menslink is to help young guys that might be struggling with the tough times that present themselves through their adolescence or young adult life, and get them through those tough times with the least amount of harm to themselves and those around them," Mr Fisk said.
He said everyone goes through hard times, but Menslink was there to help young men on their journey to adulthood.
"Our job, with the benefit of hindsight, wisdom and training, is to show them they can get through those tough times."
Mr Fisk said he was proud his organisation had directly supported more than 2500 young men in 15 years, and reached 34,000 more through their Silence is Deadly schools campaign.
One of those directly influenced by Menslink is Mr Turk. Having to cope with split parents and the "typical teenage boy" experiences and emotions proved tougher than he could manage alone.
"It was only a very short stint at Menslink but it was at a critical time," Mr Turk said of his teenage years.
"It certainly helped me get through those tough times. It strengthened my mindset, the coping mechanisms got a lot better."
Now as a Menslink mentor, Mr Turk hopes to pass on those life lessons, and provide a stable influence he once craved.
The mother of Mr Turk's mentee, Lisa Kelly, said the program was giving her son the male support he needs.
"I don't have many males in my family, so having a role model he can look up to and chat to, it has made quite a big difference," she said.
"It's made a major impact. His confidence and self-esteem are better, he's a lot more positive and he's happier."
Ms Kelly said her greatest praise of Menslink was how they chose their mentors.
"They really know how to pick the right guys and train them. Those foundations, I think it makes everything run smoothly, and parents like me are confident in the mentors," she said.
