FOOTY CARNIVAL PLANNED TO START MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATIONS

Teams from across the state will be invited to the ‘Breaking the Silence’ carnival.

A Kariyarra woman is planning a footy carnival to start conversations amongst Aboriginal men about mental health.

Aboriginal football teams from the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne will be invited to the ‘Breaking the Silence’ football carnival in Roebourne during Mental Health Week in November.

Buffy Kempton is planning the carnival as a safe and supportive space for Aboriginal men.

She encourages everyone to have conversations about mental health.

“You should always pull your family up and say, ‘if you need a yarn, I'm here,’” Ms Kempton said.

“Reassure them and just say, ‘this is a safe place. This is where you can speak and just talk about what's going on in your mind.’

“Never be afraid to speak to your family about personal issues that are going on in their lives.

“But the thing is that Aboriginal men are very silent about their problems. They are the ones that we need to focus on.”

Ms Kempton is seeking support from sponsors. Contact her on 0483 218 552 if you can help.