More than 100 people attended Guyra Men's Health Night at the Ben Lomond Hall on Friday, with guest speaker Wendell Sailor, a former dual code rugby international who played both league and union for Australia.
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The event discussed matters that too many men try to cope with by themselves: mental health, depression, and prostrate cancer.
“The night could not have gone better at all,” organiser Alisa Kennedy, from Guyra & Tingha Multi-Purpose Service, said.
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"I was extremely happy with the attendance numbers and the support from the community. The feedback is very positive, and this event was definitely a success.”
The 110 attendees learned how to make sure they were looking after themselves, and to visit the doctor regularly.
“Please remember to visit your local GP with any concerns you have, and remember they are always there when you are in need,” Ms Kennedy said.
Wendell Sailor – ambassador for suicide prevention charity R U OK? – talked about the ups and downs of his professional career, and his decision to get help with the “black dog”: depression.
“He was afraid to do so at the start," Ms Kennedy said, “but realized he needed to talk to somebody. He had a lot of family support behind him throughout that.”
Since his retirement, he has travelled around Australia raising awareness of men’s health issues.
“Always chat to your mates,” Ms Kennedy said; “check up on them to make sure they’re OK. Listen to your body, and do something about issues rather than bottling it all up.”
Third-generation farmer Rob Anderson talked about surviving droughts, depression, and the stresses of working on a farm and living in a rural town. Natasha Bissell, Tamworth Hospital’s prostrate cancer specialist, provided resources on the disease.
“I would like to thank the Local Health Committee, our wonderful sponsors, our guest speakers, the Lions Club Guyra, Guyra Hospital Auxiliary, all the community members who attended and the volunteers who helped on the night.”