October is Mental Health Month and Central Coast Council is encouraging the local community, especially men, to take time out to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and to encourage help seeking behaviours when needed.

Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this year’s theme is, “Let’s Talk about it”.  

“Unfortunately, the Central Coast consistently has some of the highest numbers of deaths by suicide in Australia*, and local mental health experts have identified men on the Central Coast as a high-risk group,” Ms Smith said.

“So this month, we are really wanting to encourage mental health awareness and conversations locally.

“In this past year, we have collaborated with the Central Coast Suicide Prevention Alliance  to develop some targeted referral cards for men, which have included drinking coasters, business cards, posters and other material encouraging men to ‘be heard’ or ‘just listen’, with information about targeted support services that men can access.

“Locals and visitors to our region may have already seen these when out and about, as we’ve continued to distribute and display these through the Brisbane Waters and Tuggerah Lakes Local Liquor Accord, at the Central Coast Stadium, through local support services, short term accommodation facilities and Legal Aid.

“To further raise awareness and increase help seeking behaviour for Mental Health Month, the coasters will be distributed across the region at Council events, Council’s Customer Service Centres, through the Liquor Accord and targeted licensed venues."

You are not alone! Men seeking support or more information are encouraged to:

•    Pick up the Phone

• Dads in Distress  – 1300 853 437
• Mates in Construction  – 1300 642 111
• Men’s Line Australia  – 1300 789 978
• Men’s Table  – 1800 636 782

•    Listen to a Podcast

• Not Alone
• Dad’s Alive
• The Bloke’s Psychology Podcast
• Welcome to the Yarn Barn

•    Jump online 

• Men’s Line Australia
• Men's health (nsw.gov.au)
• Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention - Beyond Blue

Council CEO, David Farmer said Council has a longstanding commitment of working in collaboration with local mental health services and the community to solve a range of social and health issues that may impact local community wellbeing and safety.

“We join others across NSW this month to break down stereotypes and raise awareness about Men’s mental health and wellbeing, including thinking about your own mental health and wellbeing and encouraging help seeking behaviours when anyone needs it,” Mr Farmer said.

People can pick up at coaster by heading to the Chromebar during Chromefest at The Entrance (October 25-27), in Gosford CBD for ‘Live and Local’ (November 1-2 in collaboration with Tubular Festival presenting Gossy Weekender) or at one of Council’s Customer Service Centres.

Local venues interested in receiving drinking coasters for their venues can contact Council on 02 4306 7900 or by emailing ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

*According to the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2022), one in five Australians aged 16-85 will experience a mental disorder in one year and the Central Coast Health District consistently have some of the highest numbers of death by suicide in Australia.  According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released in 2023, men make up an average seven out of every nine suicides every day in Australia, more than double the national road toll (ABS, 2022).