AFL star Touk Miller is running footy sessions to encourage struggling young blokes to reach out for help

As young blokes, we’ll be the first to admit that we often shy away from asking for help whenever we get headnoise.

For whatever reason, we’d rather bottle up our emotions and let it fester away in our heads.

We know it’s not a good thing to do, yet we keep doing it – and the stats are damning.

Young Aussie males have the lowest rates of seeking help for our struggles out of any demographic group.

On top of that, us males boast the lowest rates of awareness of available mental health support and services.

Headspace Southport and Upper Coomera hopes to change that.

An NGO, headspace aims to provide access to mental wellness support for youngsters, parents, carers and even schools across Australia.

Now they’re partnering with some big figures to really combat these figures and remind men that there is always support nearby.

The headspace team has linked up with Tackle Your Feelings, which is a mental health education program for community AFL clubs, as well as the Gold Coast Suns.

All three organisations are working together with the aim of educating young Aussie men about understanding, recognising and responding to mental health battles.

The campaign will see young lads take to the footy field for a bunch of drills and fun games.

There will also be open discussions about normalising mental health battles, breaking down the stigmas surrounding it and teaching our next generation how to look after themselves as well as their mates during tough times.

Ultimately, it’s about learning when and how to ask for a little helping hand – not suffering in silence.

On top of that, the boys will be presented with other services they can readily access too, such as LGBTQIA+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and drug/alcohol support networks.

Oh, and the sessions happen to be run by none other than Gold Coast Suns captain Touk Miller!

The lads from Zeppelin Barbers will also be on hand to dish out some fresh haircuts too – all for free, of course.

Lunch from a local food truck will be provided as well.

The headspace x Tackle Your Feelings event is absolutely free of charge for young men aged between 15 and 25 years old.

It’ll take place on Friday 18th August from 4 till 6pm at Austworld Centre Carrara on the Gold Coast.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite or on headspace Southport’s social media and website.

Contact [email protected] for queries.