Everyone needs a mate they can confide in

Gotcha 4 Life founder Gus Worland will speak at the 2021 Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo in Murray Bridge this Friday.

Everyone needs a mate they can confide in

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Gotcha 4 Life founder Gus Worland will speak at this Friday’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo in Murray Bridge. Photo: Gotcha 4 Life.

Gus Worland wants to live in a world where there are zero suicides.

That’s why he founded mental fitness charity Gotcha 4 Life four years ago, and why he’ll speak at a mental health and wellbeing expo in Murray Bridge this Friday: to make that vision a reality.

“I want a society where everyone has a ‘gotcha for life’ mate, that go-to person you can open up to and rely on about anything,” he said.

“(I want) a world where we can seek help when life gets challenging, where we can build open and honest relationships and feel comfortable expressing ourselves no matter what, so no-one has to worry alone.”

Mr Worland and mental health first aid instructor Steve Gamble, founder of awareness-raising organisation Man Anchor, will be among the speakers at Friday’s expo at Murray Bridge Town Hall.

There will be a Q-and-A session about mental health, where community members will be able to question the experts.

There will also be music, stalls, interactive displays, coffee, cake and giveaways.

Man Anchor’s Steve Gamble will also speak at the expo. Photo: Man Anchor.

This year’s expo will be split into two sessions for COVID-safe purposes, with the main speakers in the morning session, 10am-1pm, and a second session to follow from 1-3pm.

The expo will be presented by the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network and Wellbeing SA as part of their efforts to promote good mental health in the Murraylands.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44.

The expo was last held in 2019, when its future had looked uncertain; in the end, the 2020 event was cancelled because of COVID-19.


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