Sea Eagles support Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month – The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are committed to reducing the stigma around suicide.

Sea Eagles players Joel Thompson, Api Koroisau and Dylan Walker have visited the Avalon Youth Hub in recent weeks to start a dialogue around suicide and mental health in our community.

“It’s important to know that it’s ok to put your hand up and ask for help”

Joel Thompson

“Go to a friend, go to a family member and make sure you speak to them. We have some great services out there such as here (The Avalon Youth Hub), Headspace and CCNB that can help”, Thompson said.

Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB) is a community-based organisation located on the Northern Beaches that provides guidance and support to people suffering from a mental illness.

CCNB Ambassador Graham Bargwanna says that talking to a professional is the best way to understand and recognise the steps towards recovery.  

“The main message we want to get across in this campaign is to talk about it”

Graham Bargwanna Community Care Northern Beaches

“We really want to see a quality in life and have the ability to speak to each other in the community about mental health and suicide”, Bargwanna said.

“We need to recognise that is happening but there is hope. A lot of people who access the services of professionals do get better and go on to lead great lives”

Suicide can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. A brave Apisai Koroisau spoke about his experience and the importance of seeking help.

“It’s a subject that no one really wants to talk about but it’s so important to get it out there”, Koroisau said.

“My ex-partner committed suicide and I was unfortunate enough to find her. At the time I had some really great family and friends around me and I was able to go see a psychologist to get me through”

“It’s a lot easier said than done but we can always seek help”

Today is R U OK? Day – A conversation could change a life…

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