Councillors push for mental health support

THROUGHOUT June, Golden Plains Shire mayor Owen Sharkey and councillors Emma Robbins and Gavin Gamble are completing more than three thousand push ups to raise funds for mental health.

The initiative is running until Thursday 26 June and will see the group complete 3214 push ups to represent the 3214 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023.

Cr Sharkey said the initiative was a great opportunity for councillors to work together in their first year in office.

“I think at the start of our term there was a few of us as councillors that said it would be nice to collectively do something,” he said.

“It’s something to bring us councillors together but also to raise awareness.

“We’ve not done this sort of thing before so hopefully it’s something we can look to, to be bigger and bolder next year.”

Funds raised throughout the campaign will support Headspace Geelong, and Lifeline Geelong and Ballarat.

“I think it’s fair to say a lot of people deal with mental health issues,” Cr Sharkey said.

“I know places like Headspace in Geelong and Lifeline offer some great facilities for people that need those.”

To donate, visit bit.ly/4e0JFWo.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14, and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.