Let’s zero in on what we might call an “average bloke” from the New England. 

We’ll call him Tom. 

Tom suffers a serious physical injury – a broken leg while playing footy. Tom goes to the doctor. There are x-rays, then surgery. 

There’s time off work to recover and medications to manage infection and pain. Then there’s physiotherapy and an exercise regime to get everything back to normal.

Tom’s family and mates all ask how his leg is. No one’s awkward talking about it. 

But what if Tom is suffering a mental illness? 

Maybe he has unexplainable pangs of depression or anxiety, serious mood swings, feelings of being out-of-sorts, a sense that life is too much. He might be drinking too much. There might be thoughts of suicide. 

What are the chances that Tom will put the same effort into getting support for his mental illness? 

What are the chances that he’ll openly talk about it or that his mates will ask him how he’s going?

Sadly, in a region like the New England the chances can be slim. 

RichmondPRA is a not-for-profit service provider focussed on providing support to people who have a lived experience of mental illness.

We see the full spectrum of people living with a variety of mental illnesses in the New England. Mums and dads, blue and white collar workers, farmers, teenagers, seniors and the socially disadvantaged. 

Those receiving services are usually the lucky ones because they are getting the support they need to get back into living a fuller life. 

The big worry is the untold number of people who suffer in silence and don’t have the first clue what’s wrong with them or what to do. 

On this front, men are typically most vulnerable. It can be a big move for any man to cut through the stigma of mental illness and reach out for help. 

On Tuesday evening RichmondPRA hosted a “Men Only” forum in Tamworth to enable guys to learn about the signs and symptoms of mental illness. Local guys showed up and heard information about what to do if they detect signs of mental illness amongst their families and mates, or within themselves.

Guest speaker Vince Andrews, a retired truckie, spoke about spending half his life battling depression and anxiety before finding the courage to tell his GP that something wasn’t right. 

Having tried various therapies and medications, Vince now lives with peace of mind he never thought possible. 

More recently Vince was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but he says the fear of dying is nowhere near as terrible as the fear of living under the indescribable oppression of mental illness. 

Tamworth man Glen Botfield told about living with schizophrenia and his long journey towards living a normal and meaningful life in the community. 

Tamworth Deputy Mayor Cr Russell Webb shared the painful experience of losing a brother-in-law to suicide – the shocking end to a long and unpredictable battle with mental illness.

Each story showed how cruel and insidious mental illness can be. It silently gnashes at people, pulling them down, tearing sufferers from their families and driving them to indescribable lows, sometimes even suicide. 

But there is hope. People living with a mental illnesses can be supported and live meaningful and fulfilling lives. 

One in five Australian’s will suffer some form of mental illness in their lives so don’t for a second think you or someone you know is alone if signs and symptoms are evident. 

If you or a loved one or friend isn’t feeling right, do something. 

Talk. Listen. Look out for each other. Go to a GP or counsellor. Help and hope awaits. 

The first steps can be the hardest, but there’s often no looking back once they’ve been taken.