That message took centre stage on Saturday night when 520 people packed out a high school hall in Tamworth for the White Elephant Ball. 

The ball was born from the most tragic of circumstances, but it has taken pride of place in invaluable conversations around the elephant in the room – mental health. 

The White Elephant Ball has become a staple on the Tamworth social calendar and in the process has raised more than $300,000 for charity Batyr, who educate and engage people to have positive conversations about mental health issues.

The ball was established in 2014 in memory of Scotty Campbell, a well-known Tamworth man who lost his battle with depression in 2013.

The annual fundraiser is the only support the New England branch of the organisation receives.

And what a success it was. 

Organisers have said the ball raised in excess of $50,000 for the charity.

Every cent goes a long way to helping make mental health a priority.

Not only has the ball raised invaluable funds for a charity doing life-changing work, but it has also helped start conversations. 

It is so encouraging to see our community making further ground in combatting the stigma surrounding mental health. 

Having high-profile sporting figure Wendell Sailor open up about his struggles as the guest speaker was another feather in the cap for organisers.

Batyr focuses on preventative education in the area of youth mental health by providing programs that train young people to speak about their personal experience with mental ill health and start a conversation in their community.

The organisation takes these speakers into schools, universities and corporate arenas to continue this conversation around mental health.

The organisers of the ball should be applauded for their efforts – both in organising the event and helping promote such an important cause. 

We all need to remember it’s okay not to be okay. It’s important we continue having the conversation to help combat the stigma around mental health. To find out more about the amazing work batyr does, visit www.batyr.com.au.