Led by founder and rugby league legend Greg Inglis, the Goanna Academy and Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) will shine a spotlight on mental health at a free community workshop in Bathurst, to help people connect with local support services.
Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson, encouraged people across Bathurst to attend the mental health workshop, which is being hosted by the District’s local Community Mental Health Team at 11am at the Kelso Community Hub on Tuesday, 24 October.
“This event is a great opportunity for the community to connect, particularly during Mental Health Month. Not just to connect with a mental health champion like Greg Inglis, but also with one another and health professionals,” Ms Jackson said.
“Hearing from others with lived experience can be extremely reassuring for people who are considering reaching out for mental health support, but it’s also incredibly important they know where they can receive that support in their local community.
“I’m thrilled this event will bring together the community and mental health services. I’m sure the Goanna Academy’s visit will help more people feel comfortable enough to connect with our local teams on the ground.”
Mr Inglis founded the Goanna Academy, which aims to improve mental health outcomes across Australia and particularly in regional men, youth and First Nations people, and will share his personal journey and battles with mental illness to inspire others to seek help.
Mr Inglis said he hopes his story can help people in the community feel more confident and comfortable reaching out for support, particularly people in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“We’ve all been through some pretty tough times recently and looking after our mental health is more important than ever. I say from experience suffering in silence won’t help,” Mr Inglis said.
“Support is always there and hopefully people might be able to take something from what I’ve learned over the years to help them take that next step and get themselves some help.
“Being able to get back out to Bathurst during Mental Health Month will be pretty special, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
WNSWLHD Mental Health’s Drug and Alcohol Bathurst and Region Hub Manager, Josh Spicer, said the workshop builds on the weekly Mawang Yarning Circle held at the Kelso Community Hub in recent months.
“We’re excited for Greg and the Goanna Academy’s visit and we’re very grateful to the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service and the Wambuul Life Connection Network, who have supported the workshop from the start,” Mr Spicer said.
“The workshop will be a safe space where people can also share their stories if they are comfortable doing so, but I would encourage anyone who might like to just listen to come along too, we’d love to connect with as many people as possible.
“After the workshop a range of rugby league-based activities for kids and teenagers will be run as well. I’m sure many people in Bathurst already feel a connection through rugby league, but physical activity is also a huge benefit to people’s mental health.”
The Goanna Academy workshop is free and does not require registration. A barbecue lunch will be provided, followed by the rugby league-based activities at 1pm and a meet and greet at 2pm.
For mental health advice or to be connected to specialist mental health services, call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
