Mobile mental health support

Mick Simmons from HALT. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 212091_01

By Mitchell Clarke

The man behind a mobile mental health service has moved online, where he’ll host virtual events providing support to students, teachers, parents and apprentices amid the Stage 4 lockdown.

Hope Assistance Local Tradies (HALT) – a national grass-roots suicide prevention charity – is slowly increasing their presence across workplaces in the Casey and Cardinia region.

Prior to Covid-19, HALT support worker Mick Simmons would attend various workplaces to hold ‘Save Your Bacon’ events – an opportunity to remind tradies and apprentices that their mental health is important and support services are available.

Despite no longer being able to provide the service physically, Mr Simmons knows there has never been a greater need for support services.

“This is a really scary time,” Mr Simmons said.

“Isolation, job insecurity and not being in control are three of the worst things that someone with mental health issues can deal with.

“If you have direction and control in your life, and can stay busy through work and sport, you can to deal with mental health problems more effectively.

“If someone puts you in a room and says you can’t leave without getting a fine, or if you don’t have job security or stable income, that can be some of the worst things to happen for people living with anxiety and depression.”

HALT was set up six years ago in Castlemaine by a man who was fed up with going to the funerals of tradies.

“He was sick of hearing people saying ‘I wonder who is going to be next rather than what are we going to do about this?’,” Mr Simmons explained.

The program has since extended to Victoria, where Mr Simmons, a former TAFE teacher, took up the role of providing support across the south east.

“I knew this was the perfect job for me straight away and I absolutely love what I do,” he said.

“It’s all about breaking down the stigma attached to talking about mental health, and encouraging tradies and apprentices to support their mates, and to give them information about what support services are available in their region,” he explained.

“We support mates on the footy field and in war, but when it comes to mental health, people don’t really know where to go. It’s hard to have that tough conversation.”

That tough conversation is so important, according to Mr Simmons, who has delivered talks to all professions – from politicians and plumbers to chefs and carpenters.

“This type of conversation can be life changing and sometimes it can be life saving,” he said.

“If we have everyone talking about mental health and everyone asking about it, then hopefully we can make some changes.”

In a bid to address the mental health ramifications from the Covid lockdown, every school community across the south east will be invited to take part in a series of HALT virtual events.

The online discussions will teach coping tools and provide support services to students and teachers.

“We weren’t meant to live sad, anxious or depressed. If we just went to the doctor or if we just started to talk about what was going on, it can be a massive weight of the shoulders,” he said.

“You don’t have to live like this anymore – you can, quite easily, go and get help, if you just realise it.”

To sign up for the event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/halts-virtual-school-break-tickets-115936488157.

Anyone needing immediate help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.