Can We Talk: NRL star Shaun Timmins says talking about mental health may help people recognise signs that someone needs help

FORMER NRL star Shaun Timmins has lost numerous friends to suicide, but it was the death of a man very close to his brother Brendon which hit him the hardest.

NRL player Brenton Lawrence with former player Dan Hunt promoting World Suicide Day pictured at Coogee. pic Mark Evans

FORMER NRL star Shaun Timmins has lost numerous friends to suicide, but it was the death of a man very close to his brother Brendon which hit him the hardest.

Brendon Timmins farewelled his best mate three years ago after he took his own life. Shaun was also very close to the 30-year-old, who Shaun has asked not to be named.

The death came completely out of the blue to the tight-knit Wollongong family.

“It was such a shock and I wish we had seen signs earlier,” the former Dragons and Blues player said.

“At the time I offered support for my brother and family and friends. Everyone had to rally together to support my brother the best we could.”

Timmins has spoken out in the lead-up to The Sunday Telegraph’s first of four regional Can We Talk forums, to be held at Newcastle on Tuesday, September 15.

The forums are bringing together experts, NRL stars, young people and parents in regional NSW to give families practical advice on helping teens through mental ill-health.

They are being held to help bring down the rate of youth suicide in rural and regional areas, which is 66 per cent higher than in our cities.

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The Newcastle event will also be attended by Newcastle Knights Tariq Sims and Adam MacDougall.

“Sometimes you can’t see the signs of depression, but if there are any signs that you can see it is so important to be able to speak to people about it.”

On Thursday Timmins joined current and former NRL players, including Brenton Lawrence and Dan Hunt, at a World Suicide Prevention Day event.

He said projects like Can We Talk? could help give people the skills to recognise mental illness.

“Sometimes you can’t see the signs of depression, but if there are any signs that you can see it is so important to be able to speak to people about it,” Timmins said.

“Hopefully you can help them out and let them know that there is help there and that it is not as bad as what they think it is.”

Former Blues halfback Brett Kimmorley is now the Wests Tigers Under-20s coach.

Since being in the role, he said he had a number of players come forward to reveal mental health issues.

“Until I started coaching I didn’t realise how bad suicide is with young kids,” Kimmorley, 38, said.

“As a parent and ex-player you get to be supportive.

“Lifestyle and all those dramas has been the hardest thing to manage.”

* For more information about our regional forums or to register, go to dailytelegraph.com.au/canwetalk