‘One is one too many’: Take a moment for your mates

These men want other locals to know it’s okay if you feel like you’ve hit a rough patch and they’re back with a popular pink event promoting mental health awareness.

These men want other locals to know it’s okay if you feel like you’ve hit a bunker, but talking to a mate could get you out of the rough. And, they‘ve organised the perfect event where you can let your guard down.

If you think pink isn’t your colour and opening up to others is tough, here's a good opportunity to try both.

As this local mental health awareness organisation gets ready for their fifth annual golf day, locals are reminded it’s okay to speak up and talk about what’s affecting you mentally.

And, if you don’t feel you have anyone to turn to, on June 25 at the Hervey Bay Golf Club, more than 200 people will be on hand.

The event is a reminder you’re never alone.

After the business community lost a friend over five years ago to suicide, mental health awareness organisation Fraser Coast Mates was born.

Led by President Darren Bosley the group holds the golf event in memory of their mate but also in an effort to stop ots from suffering the same fate.

The event, held on the anniversary of the friend’s passing, quickly became bigger than expected, with a focus on raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental health initiatives in the local community.

The pink shirts worn on the golf day also hold strong significance – a reminder of the one worn by their late mate.

Fraser Coast Mates (FCM) President Darren Bosley created the event, which runs alongside multiple others throughout the year, after losing a friend to suicide, one he had “no idea” was going through such hard times.

“I called him a good friend and I had no idea (he was feeling the way he was), absolutely no idea, I remember having a conversation with him two weeks before (he passed) and I just asked the question: ‘are you all right?’ and he said: ‘I'm dealing with a few things, but I'm okay’ … You probably have to be most concerned about the ones who push back,” Darren told the Chronicle.

“There's a lot more communication around having the courage to ask the question if someone’s okay, but the greater courage is someone actually admitting there's a problem, that's the issue we're dealing with.”

Even though participating tickets sold out about a month ago, FCM still urges anyone interested in attending to come along.

This year’s golf event will have 60 teams and about 200 people participating, and, despite the event selling out about a month ago, FCM is encouraging anyone interested to still come along.

Registrations on the day will open from 10am, with the “iconic group photo” being taken at 10:30am.

To get in contact with FCM, email [e-mail] or visit here.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Headspace 1800 650 890

Beyondblue 1300 224 636

Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467