BY ROWAN HOLZBERGER MP
I’m still a country boy at heart.
Or should I say, a boy from a large regional city – Broken Hill. A regional city just like Logan.
Benny and Jezza were two blokes I grew up with. Both rough and tumble working class kids. Benny made you laugh and Jezza was quiet if you didn’t know him, but loyal like you wouldn’t believe.
Benny and Jezza aren’t with us today. Both died by suicide.
Growing up, we didn’t talk about suicide. But now we know, the only thing worse than talking about suicide is not talking about it.
Mental health, particularly men’s mental health, isn’t a sign of weakness. And neither is asking for help. We can’t keep brushing it aside hoping it will sort itself out.
We’ve just had World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day, a reminder to check in with the people in your life.
Because starting conversations matters.
Sometimes a conversation isn’t enough on its own. People also need to know where they can turn for help.
The Albanese Labor Government has set up two important services.
Medicare Mental Health Check In is a phone-in service. Call 1800 595 212, 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
And we’ve expanded the Logan Medicare Mental Health Centre on Wembley Road in Logan Central. No appointment or referral needed. Just walk in.
Big regional cities like Logan, and Broken Hill, are strong. Full of tough, salt of the earth, working class Aussies.
But when it comes to mental health, particularly men’s mental health, we can’t confuse silence with strength.
I often wonder what might have happened if more people had checked in on Benny and Jezza, or if they had felt more comfortable reaching out for help themselves.
We’ll never know.
But we do know this: starting the conversation can save a life.
