Golfers chip in to help raise vital funds for mental health group

BYRON Bay Golf Club hosted the fourth annual Healthy Minds 18-hole event which aims to promote youth mental health and fundraise for sport clubs across the region.

The Healthy Minds Club formed in 2020 to address suicide and mental health issues for young men around the region.

Since then, it has become a registered charity with the golf event this year raising almost $18,000 for its support services.

About 128 people turned out for the event with businesses across the region chipping in with the fundraising efforts.

“It’s our cornerstone event and the main fundraiser that helps us run our initiatives throughout the year.” Healthy Minds Club president Jackson Connellan said.

“The Byron Bay Golf Club really looked after us and it’s a special day that everyone looks forward to.

“Our focus is on funding local sporting clubs and youth mental health and wellbeing programs.”

They run musical festivals and surfing events aimed for youth and now operate workshops at high schools with the Tomorrow Man program.

It recently held a workshop at Ballina Coast High School with the focus on young males and helping them identify and respond to mental health issues.

They also use money they raise to bridge the gap for funding with people needing to see psychologists on a mental health plan.

The group only had a handful of members when it first started and has gone on to win awards and enhance its reputation in the community.

It partners with businesses and other mental health groups to build resilience and support across the region.

“It was fairly humble beginnings, and we still have big ambitions and things we want to do,” Connellan said.

“Hopefully its sets up the next generation of young males and females to eventually take over and continue the club in the direction that we want it to go.”