Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is R U OK? Day and Suicide Prevention Day. In Australia, there are approximately 2,200 suicides every year, with 80 per cent of them being men. It is a deep societal trend that we view our men as tough and strong; however, depression, a high-risk factor of suicide, does not discriminate and can affect anyone. The feelings of being overwhelmed, irritable and frustrated at the smallest of things; removing yourself from close friends and relying on alcohol to gain an ounce of relief; the ruminating and controlling thoughts like 'I'm a failure' or 'People are better off without me': these are all symptoms of someone who might be depressed, and I know this better than anyone as my husband suffers from depression.

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting with Tony Holland, CEO of the OzHelp Foundation. OzHelp is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a number of mental health and wellbeing programs for men in every state and territory across Australia. OzHelp has been running programs and services for men in the Northern Territory since 2008. Last year, the amazing OzHelp staff engaged with an incredible 11,680 men in Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Alice Springs. The types of programs and services that OzHelp provide, give men a low-key approach to mental health within the comfort of their workplaces. An example of one of their programs is, as I said yesterday, the Tradies Tune-Up Program. These are 20-minute physical and mental health screens as well as health promotion with a three-month follow-up phone call. The success of this particular program has shown great results. Of those who have taken part: six per cent have quit smoking, 15 per cent have reduced their alcohol intake, 15 per cent were able to confide in a friend or a counsellor about how they were feeling and 43 per cent saw a doctor within three months of their 'tune up'.

Innovative and male-specific programs, like this one run by OzHelp, are the kinds of advancements that Australia needs to help prevent suicide in our hard-working men. If you or anyone that you know is struggling, they are not alone. Help is available. Today, in the spirit of R U OK? Day, pick up the phone or go for a coffee with someone and start a conversation with them. So, Madam Deputy Speaker Claydon, R U OK?