(Left to right) Wayne Wigham, Southern Downs Regional Council Cr Russell Wantling, and Darling Downs Health Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs Health Promotion Officer Richard Henshaw.
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In the 1970s and 80s, Wayne Wigham was at the peak of his professional rugby league career. From the outside, life looked pretty perfect.
But inside, Wigham was fighting what felt like a losing battle.
The former Balmain Tigers player was enduring mental health struggles that would take a significant toll on his life and would eventually culminate in a suicide attempt.
Now, in his role as a lived experience speaker for the Black Dog Institute, Wigham has been sharing his story with men across the Darling Downs in a series of men’s mental wellbeing presentations, in the hopes that he can convince other men to open up about their struggles.
These presentations – held in Kingaroy, Toowoomba, and Warwick last week – aimed to help educate men on the red flags to look out for in themselves and their friends or loved ones, while also making them aware of the different services and resources available to help.
“My friends thought I was happy-go-lucky. Not letting people know who I truly was, was exhausting,” Wigham said.
“What’s beautiful is that when we start talking about things like this, we realise that we don’t have to suffer alone,” he said.
“What’s beautiful is that when we start talking about things like this, we realise that we don’t have to suffer alone,”
Wayne Wigham
In Australia, sadly, men account for approximately 75 per cent of suicides.
The results of previous Black Dog Institute surveying found 58 per cent of men who had experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts did not access support.
They’re figures Darling Downs Health Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs Health Promotion Officer, Richard Henshaw, said he hopes to change.
“Our mental wellbeing affects so many aspects of our life. When we are struggling, it can impact our relationships and social wellbeing, right through to our physical health. It can impact how we react to situations and deal with stressors,” Mr Henshaw said.
“The literature indicates men have much lower rates of engagement with professional mental health support; we really need more men to reach out to seek help.
“We hope that Wayne’s story has helped inform participants that help is available and lead to better engagement with services and further reduce stigma in this space.”
Darling Downs Health Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Executive Director, Greg Neilson, said taking the step to attend these presentations was a “powerful act of self-care”.
“By attending, these men have not only improved their own well-being, but have also become better informed to recognise and support others who may be doing it tough,” Mr Neilson said.
These men’s mental wellbeing presentations were presented in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute, Southern Downs Regional Council, Toowoomba Suicide Prevention Network, and Centacare Family and Relationship Services Kingaroy.
As part of the presentations, participants also learned about the Under the Radar men’s mental health research led by Black Dog Institute and funded by the MRFF Million Minds Mission Suicide Prevention grant (APP1200195).
These presentations complement a range of mental health and wellbeing services already being delivered by Darling Downs Heath, including free mental health first aid courses and Mental Health Toolbox Talks throughout the Darling Downs.
For more information on these programs, contact the Darling Downs Health Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit on 07 4616 5201.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.