Discussing men’s mental health After Dark

Tune in: Radio Ballarat’s John Fitzgibbon offers his experience as Headspace’s independent chair of the consortium. Photo: FILE

BALLARAT Community Health and On the Low Down will facilitate an After Dark online forum next week, with an aim of helping men get to the brighter side of any mental health challenges.

To be run live online on Thursday, 9 September at 8pm, the evening of conversation will feature three speakers from different backgrounds and experiences; Olympian Steve Moneghetti, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney and Radio Ballarat’s John Fitzgibbon.

Running for approximately 90 minutes, the chat will be intimate, unpacking how to navigate mental health challenges, but it will also explore moments of triumph.

Mr Fitzgibbon brings mental health service advocacy experience to the panel.

“With Headspace, I’m the independent chair of the consortium and have been fairly strong in advocating across the board for awareness and the tackling of mental health issues within the community, particularly amongst men,” he said.

After Dark was scheduled before Ballarat plunged into its latest lockdown. Mr Fitzgibbon said conversations like the ones encouraged by the forum are “vitally important” in the current climate.

“We’ve seen through COVID that there’s a huge increase in the need for services and the demand is outstripping supplies, so anything that can be done to alleviate or to assist services that are already out there is important,” he said.

“We’re talking to a cohort that is traditionally reluctant to engage, and discuss openly, issues with mental health, so our message is important; it’s ok not to be ok and everybody’s going through something, so let’s come together, talk about it, share some experiences and get through it together.

“You don’t have to participate or ask questions, but I encourage everyone to tune in, listen and hopefully gain something that helps.”