Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Last weekend I joined the 24 Hour Row for mental fitness. This event first took place seven years ago, and it was created by Mel and Nathan Wellings from the Avalon surf club in response to community tragedies. Last weekend, this event took place in 70 locations around the country.

I recently hosted a roundtable in Mackellar on the topic of men's mental health, an issue that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. After all, 75 per cent of those who take their own life in Australia are men. It was attended by many local community groups from across the northern beaches of Sydney, groups that have stepped up in a remarkable way to provide tailored support to men in our community. These groups included Mongrels Men, which hosts regular catch-ups and activities to build connections and support for men and to encourage physical activity; Head Above Water, a charity which, since 2019, has raised over $760,000 for mental fitness programs; Man Anchor, which provides mental fitness programs to schools and businesses around Australia; Gotcha4Life, a group which also delivers preventive mental fitness programs Australia-wide; Saltwater Veterans, which seeks to connect and support veterans and their families through sailing; Men's Table, which holds get-togethers where men feel safe to talk about 'more than footy and shit'.

I thank all these groups for supporting men and helping to build a healthier, better-connected community.

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