Former AFL star and mental health advocate Wayne Schwass to hold community forum in Langwarrin

FORMER North Melbourne and Sydney Swans star Wayne Schwass will hold a community forum in Langwarrin on Wednesday night, as part of his personal mission to stamp out suicide.

Former football champion Wayne Schwass, who is on a personal mission to stamp out suicide, will speak in Langwarrin on Wednesday. Picture: Michael Klein

FRANKSTON CIU detective Gavin Hiku has dealt with the devastation of suicide in his 17 years as a Victoria police officer.

It is without doubt, he says, one of the toughest parts of his job.

“With youth suicide, we are losing good people far too young and too often because they have it set in their minds that the world is a better place without them and they feel there is no place to turn and no person to speak to,” he said.

Hiku feels so strongly about suicide prevention and mental health awareness that he has helped organise for Wayne Schwass, ex-AFL champion and one of Australia’s leading mental health advocates in his work for Puka Up, to host a community forum in Langwarrin on Wednesday, April 4.

The event — free of charge and open to all — will be at Elisabeth Murdoch College. The school and Langwarrin Junior Football Club are supporting the evening.

Hiku says Schwass will present a powerful message that is guaranteed to resonate with people of all ages.

“If we can help just one person, this evening has served its purpose,” he said.

Schwass is on a mission to stamp out suicide and says it’s crucial to be able to have open and honest conversation about mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Wayne Schwass.

“The importance of prioritising our mental health in exactly the same way as we do our physical health is crucial because they’re not mutually exclusive,” Schwass said.

“It’s really about sharing experiences and showing people that you can achieve whatever you want to achieve but if we ignore our mental health and emotional wellbeing we can pay a very heavy price and I don’t think that’s worth it.

“This is a conversation every single person should be a part of because the reality is there wouldn’t be a person in the country who hasn’t impacted directly or indirectly.’’

Schwass, who played 282 AFL games for the Kangaroos and the Swans, silently endured mental illness throughout his playing career.

“I self medicated for the first six years after diagnosis,” he said.

“Eventually it required me to accept the fact I needed help.

“This is one of the reasons I share my story because I don’t believe anybody has to wait six years to get help.”

Elisabeth Murdoch College’s Tim Harper says the evening on April 4 could be life changing for those who attend.

“Sadly the impact of youth suicide is a reality for all communities. Langwarrin is not immune to the sadness and trauma this phenomenon brings,” he said.

“This a rare chance for our young people to engage with a renowned speaker in this space. I would encourage dads to attend with their sons to what will no doubt be a life changing event for many.”

Langwarrin Junior football club president Richard Kenny said he will be encouraging families from his club to attend.

“As a junior football club with over 600 boys and girls registered players we would be naive to think that we would not be touched my mental health issues, be it players or parents.’’

*Wednesday, April 4

Langwarrin Community Forum with Wayne Schwass

Elisabeth Murdoch College. Doors open 7pm. Forum 7.30pm-9.30pm

It’s free, but ticketed. To book, go to: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=356696&