For many people, playing sport is a way to hang out with mates and blow off steam, but for some it's more than that.
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The Pinnacle Physio Honey Badgers, made up largely of people working at the Pinnacle Physiotherapy, has banded together to help push men's mental health into the spotlight as one of their members looks to help launch workshops focused on helping men open up.
The Banksia Project, with the support of iCare, The Old Ignatians’ Union and St Joseph’s Old Boys Union will be running free sessions for men to come and discuss mental health in an open, safe environment.
Brad Kane will be facilitating growth rooms in Orange from next month, building on workshops Banksia held to help boost men's mental health in regional areas late last year.
Not at all, farmers, young guys, just men - it just happens these guys all play together and have been talking about it.
- Kylie Watkins
The Pinnacle Physiotherapy has volunteered to host the sessions, and physiotherapist Kylie Watkins said she was "very keen" to be involved.
"We know how overlooked men's mental health can be so if we can be involved and encourage this kind of stuff we're happy," she said.
She said the male staff and many others associated with Pinnacle have showed their support for the initiative.
However, despite a sporting side being part of the catalyst for bring the growth rooms to the Pinnacle, she said it wasn't going to be focused on sporting sides.
"Not at all, farmers, young guys, just men - it just happens these guys all play together and have been talking about it," she said.
The sessions will run by local men once a month on the second Wednesday of the month.
The Banksia Project will take community members through a free two-day course to train and equip them to facilitate these rooms, and will always ensure there is professional support on hand with all programs, content and training prepared by health professionals if needed.
The Banksia Project’s program director Jack Jones was upbeat about the new initiatives for 2019.
“We are thrilled to be able to launch our growth rooms in Orange next month following our success last year," he said.
"The response has been overwhelmingly positive and I look forward to working with our mentors to equip our men to be more aware of their mental wellbeing in their everyday lives.”
More information: www.thebanksiaproject.org.au.
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