WHEN “Sawtell Men” co-founder Jamie Syme spoke at the Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club’s Bring a Mate event, his words drew gasps of breath.
“There are 80 men here today,” he said.
“Eight men suicide every day in Australia; in 10 days all 80 men here would be dead.”
Sawtell Men is the recipient of funds raised by this year’s Bring a Mate event.
Jamie, the owner of Sawtell CrossFit, said the purpose of the men’s group is to encourage great conversations and to meet on a regular basis at Murrays Beach in Sawtell for a walk, run, or a surf, and a coffee.
Too many men are falling between the gaps, he said.
“Ours is a free community group for men who are beginning to notice that they’re struggling with mental health issues, and don’t have the means to engage a health professional, fitness or life coach.”
Also speaking at the triathlon was former military combat engineer and men’s mental health advocate Scott Seccombe.
Working on the coal face of men’s mental health, Scott stresses how important it is for men to talk with other men about how they’re going.
“My main message is ‘keep an eye out for your mates’,” he said.
“Don’t do it alone.
“Put your hand up and say you’re struggling.”
Coffs Triathlon Club social member Nick Newling, a nurse working in mental health, said the statistics are confronting.
“The data says 43 percent of us will experience a mental health disorder at some time in our life,” he said.
“This is a number that has increased over previous years.
“We know stigma and social expectations still exist and remain barriers for men seeking support for their mental health.”
Suicide remains the leading cause of death of men under 44.
Highlighting the importance of days and events such as the Bring a Mate triathlon, Nick stressed the strong correlations between positive physical health and positive mental health
“Today, we remind men to start conversations with each other,” he said.
“We remind men it’s okay to be vulnerable and show compassion with one another when asking another ‘Are you okay?’.
“We remind men that conversations save lives.
“We remind men that seeking help is not weak.”
Seeking help is a sign of strength, he said, “strength for the next man to reach out and ask for help when things are getting tough.”
By Andrea FERRARI
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