Be bold enough sometimes to ask the difficult questions.
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That's the takeaway message Lifeline Central West chief executive officer Stephanie Robinson has after reading Dubbo mayor Ben Shields' statement on his mental health struggles.
On Tuesday afternoon, Cr Shields posted about the major depressive illness he has had for the past 20 years and how it culminated with him trying to take his own life in March.
Ms Robinson said it was an incredibly powerful message to have shared with the public.
"Some of us have mental illness and struggles with mental illness but really it's no different. Some people work harder at having to stay fit because of their physical health and some people have to do that with their mental health."
Ms Robinson said when she runs a mental health workshop, nearly everyone puts up their hand for having learnt first aid, but there's only ever one or two who know mental first aid.
"That's astounding," she said.
"I've never done CRP on somebody, I might have used a bandage on a horse but it's certainly not something I use on a regular basis. Mental first aid, I use that every single day.
"Regardless of all the circumstances that brought us to this point, you just don't know what people are battling behind closed doors. Every person, regardless of whether they have a diagnosed mental illness or not has a breaking point, we all do.
"I guess it's a reminder to look out for everybody and be bold enough sometimes to ask difficult questions."
The Lifeline Central West CEO has also praised Dubbo Regional Council for ensuing all staff had the opportunity to attend Lifeline workshops.
If the mayor's statement has raised any issues or anybody is struggling, Ms Robinson has urged them to reach out.
"The message we have been trying to get across this year, is that when somebody is doing it tough and they're at a really vulnerable point, we as community and family and friends have to get better at reaching in, because it's incredibly difficult thing to always be putting pressure on that person who is struggling to reach out," she said.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
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