Banksia Project launching new mental health event in Orange

That's the message The Banksia Project will deliver to men and their families later this month with an event later this month, which bears that message as its name, as the not-for-profit continues its work in the mental health space in Orange.

The free event will feature local men sharing lived experiences and advice to highlight the importance of resilience and, as a priority, will also focus on education about and promotion of services which can help men as they seek help.

The event will also feature an open-panel Q&A with prominent men and women from the community and is an extension of The Banksia Project's Growth Room initiative, which kicked off more than two years ago and is held monthly.

"It is targeted at men but we encourage any women to come along as well. That's actually very important, because it's pretty much fact that women have the biggest influence on men in terms of seeking help initially," Brad Kane, who was instrumental in setting up The Banksia Project's Orange branch, said.

"One of the biggest issues men face when they're struggling emotionally or mentally is not knowing where to go, or where to seek help, so we're really looking to educate people on service providers in that space and we'll have a number of them from the community there.

Mr Kane, along with Aidan Keough, facilitates The Banksia Project's Growth Room, a program the former is hoping can evolve further in both Orange and the Central West, with the current group at capacity.

Jock Campbell knows exactly how effective the Growth Room program is, he's 'basically a founding member' as Mr Kane put it, and urged people in the community to enrol or to become facilitators to continue its development.

Mr Campbell will also be one of the speakers at this month's event, which will be held at Emus Rugby Club's Endeavour Oval clubhouse on Wednesday, June 16, from 6pm for a 6.30pm start.

"I'll just be sharing my experience, what's worked for me and what's helped me build resilience. Or rather, what's helping me build resilience because I'm certainly still on that journey," Mr Campbell said.

"I won't be going into the really nitty-gritty details of the challenges I've faced, but one big thing I'll focus on is where I went for help and what has been effective for me.

"It hasn't just been one place and that's a message I think is important, for me I've got help from a few different places and it all comes together to work. No one service will be effective for everyone, because everyone's different."

Proving The Banksia Project's value to the community, the not-for-profit was recognised as a highly commended 2021 Community Group of the Year at the 'Orange Australia Day 2021 Awards' earlier this year.

Member for Orange Phil Donato also delivered a Community Recognition Statement in NSW Parliament recently, acknowledging its work, presenting Mr Kane with a certificate of recognition earlier this week.

Registering for The Banksia Project's 'You Don't Have To Be Bulletproof' event is essential and can be done through EventBrite.

Anyone interested in signing up for one of The Banksia Project's Growth Rooms can also do so via the not-for-profit's website, with virtual rooms conducted via Zoom also available and accessible for anyone not able to attend face-to-face sessions.

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