NRL great, Preston Campbell, shares his battle in Cherbourg

DURING his NRL career, Preston Campbell was a successful, premiership-winning player seen to be “living the good life”. But this was far from the truth.

COMMUNITY ORIENTATED: Preston Campbell pictured with young fans Tahlia Tapaul, 16, and Shajuana Button, 17. Picture: Kate Darvall

DURING his NRL career, Preston Campbell was a successful, premiership-winning player seen to be "living the good life".

But beneath the spotlight, he said there was a different story to be told.

Mr Campbell, an indigenous community leader, said people saw him as "strong and courageous" but the weight of it all was too much and he eventually crumbled under it.

"I went through a bit of a battle about 10 years ago, I wanted to die - that's putting it bluntly," Mr Campbell said.

"I attempted suicide.

"I didn't ask for help, I was too proud until a mate tapped me on the shoulder and said I needed to do something about it."

Mr Campbell said he was ashamed of the way he felt.

"People thought I was living the good life, but that wasn't always the case," he said.

"I felt like I failed my community and my family as well."

Noel Georgetown, Benny Colonel, Jachai Percell and Ricardo Georgetown. Photo Kate Darvall/ South Burnett Times. Picture: Kate Darvall

Mr Campbell said people saw him as strong because he was a professional NRL player, but he said it took more strength to reach out for help.

"I look at it now as courageous to talk about it," he said.

The NRL player, who started his career with the Inverell Hawks when he was 16 years old, visited Cherbourg on Friday to discuss his own battle and to open up the lines of communication about mental health.

Mr Campbell was a special guest speaker at the Deadly Day Out Festival, hosted by the Cherbourg Suicide Prevention Action Network.

The NRL player said he was passionate about mental health and action needed to be taken, especially in indigenous communities like Cherbourg.

"Sometimes you need to get a bit raw so people can understand," he said.

"It's almost an epidemic - it's getting out of control."

MEMORIAL TREE: Edwina Stewart and Elvie Sandow say the Memorial Tree celebrates loved ones lost to suicide.Photo Kate Darvall/ South Burnett Times. Picture: Kate Darvall

He said communities like Cherbourg were "like glue" and it was hugely important to be a good role model.

"You need to be careful about who is a role model - you need to find the good ones," he said.

"And walk alongside them every day."

Cherbourg Suicide Prevention Action Network's Toni Jeavons said the festival was only the beginning of a long but important journey.

"Cherbourg has a lot of death through health issues and suicide," she said.

"And it's all a bit hush-hush, but we need to bring it out to the forefront.

"We need to be openly giving people permission to talk."

Cherbourg Council's Edwina Stewart said suicide rates hit the community "really hard".

To bring the issue to the forefront, and remember lives lost, she introduced the Memorial Tree.

The tree boasts leaves written by friends and family about a loved one whose life was lost to suicide.

"They're not forgotten, they're here with us."

The Deadly Day Out Festival was the first of many aimed to support Cherbourg community members and let them know help is available.

LET'S TALK: Preston Campbell and Toni Jeavons want to ask 'are you ok?'. Photo Kate Darvall/ South Burnett Times. Picture: Kate Darvall