Time to break stigma
THE music stirs me every time. I can feel the emotion start like a knot in my belly and rise up and before I know it or have the time to reach for a tissue my eyes are wet. His droopy but soulful eyes have always had me at hello and I can’t help but will him on to win even if it means I have to sit through 12 rounds to get a result. “The tiger is just a man and his will to survive ...” ahh, the poetry of Survivor. I have been a huge Rocky Balboa fan my entire life and settling back into my seat on a plane from Sydney this week I indulged in a little quiet time and the latest offering in the famous movie franchise that made Sylvester Stallone a superstar. OK, so it’s not Shakespeare or even remotely sophisticated. But Rocky’s stories about the ups and downs of a boxer born with no prospects but his fists, pursuing a dream, working hard, loving family, being knocked down and achieving contentment and a few triumphs along the way are as good a teachings in life as any.
There is only one certainty during life — no one goes through it unscathed.
Everyone loses some rounds but what makes an individual go the distance is how they handle the punches.
This week the Cairns Post launched its Can We Talk campaign.
The campaign is aimed at breaking down barriers and providing hope and solutions to people facing mental health issues in the lead-up to World Mental Health Week in October.
We want to trample on the old taboo of not talking about mental health and suicide and encourage people to ask others if they need to talk.
Regional Australia and, tragically, the Far North, struggles with mental health issues. Remoteness, a lack of funding and ignorance to the fact that suicide is preventable contribute to high levels of suffering. As a community we need to throw our arms around those in need.
Unfortunately it’s not always easy to detect when someone is seriously troubled. People are good at hiding in plain sight. Outwardly those who appear strong, successful and determined can be battling fear, trauma and insecurities.
Knockdowns, disappointments and mistakes are a part of life, so it’s normal to feel down or negative at times.
It is not natural when those feelings become overwhelming or constant.
We want this campaign to help stop mental illness in its tracks, before it gets too difficult for someone to cope.
It’s OK to talk about your feelings or feel sad sometimes. But it’s important also to laugh and find joy in even the smallest things we do every day.
If we do these things we’re a little bit closer to winning the fight and enjoying the riches that a life well lived can bring.
TRAGICALLY, THE FAR NORTH STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. REMOTENESS, A LACK OF FUNDING AND IGNORANCE TO THE FACT THAT SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE CONTRIBUTE TO HIGH LEVELS OF SUFFERING