Taking out taboo: Event tackles mental health issues head on

The weekend-long event will connect the community with health professionals, open up a safe space and promote awareness.

Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Derek Tuffield. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Shining the light on mental health and suicide awareness, an event that gained ‘immense success’ in 2018 is set to return to the region.

Lifeline Darling Downs is launching its Unleash the Beast event today, to break down the stigma of talking about mental health.

Coinciding with Queensland Mental Health Week, the mental health symposium will be held on the weekend of October 16 and 17.

Lifeline Darling Downs chief executive officer Derek Tuffield said he was delighted to partner with Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN for this year’s event.

“In 2018, Unleash the Beast was the most significant event held in Queensland for World Mental Health Day and this year’s speakers will once again be outstanding,” Mr Tuffield said.

“Every day our Lifeline counselling team are supporting people with their mental health journey.

“We still find depression and mental illness a taboo subject … it’s funny because if you have a broken bone, you visit your doctor for treatment, so why don’t we relate to mental illness in the same way?”

The weekend-long event will provide an opportunity for the community to connect with health professionals, create open conversation, promote awareness and address a range of mental health topics.

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN chief executive officer Merrilyn Strohfeldt said more than 70% of the region were turning to their GP for assistance with their mental health.

“We know that about one in four people in the Darling Downs and West Moreton region have a mental health condition (and) GPs are often the first port of call for people when it comes to their mental and physical health,” Ms Strohfeldt said.

“Partnering with an event such as Unleash the Beast not only brings the community together to have an important conversation about mental health, but is also allowing the PHN to support GPs and health professionals in the important role they play in linking their patients into the care they need.”

Keynote speakers will include Australian doctors Dr Brad McKay and Dr Ginni Mansberg, who are both well known from Channel 9 television series Embarrassing Bodies Down Under.

High profile psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and former Gold Coast Titans rugby league player Preston Campbell have also been announced as speakers, among others.

The event will be held on October 16 and 17 at the USQ Arts Theatre at the Toowoomba campus.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit unleashthebeast.net.au.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Taking out taboo: Event tackles mental health issues head on