By Abbey Cannan
A Sunshine Coast men’s mental health charity has launched a new group at Peregian Beach, with the local bakery getting behind the cause.
Grab Life By The Balls was created with the mission to champion the positive and proactive benefits of mateship for men’s mental health, creating a cultural shift in Australia.
Organisation founder and Sunshine Coast local Sam Parker said they were taking the movement on a national tour to launch groups around Australia, including one that recently opened in Peregian Beach.
“We already have about seven locations and it would be great to grow that to 100,“ he said.
The charity creates events for blokes, from all walks of life to connect, hang out and be themselves.
“We are championing the overwhelming evidence of the positive and proactive qualities that social connection brings to individuals and communities,“ Sam said.
“Social isolation is a factor when it comes to mental health. We need proactive strategies alongside crisis and prevention care when it comes to men and suicide.“The local group, which runs every Thursday morning from 6.30am at the Peregian Beach Bakery, stemmed from an initiative created by Pyney’s Pie Day.
“Pyney’s a Noosa local and he does pie reviews and he got a bunch of bakeries around Australia to donate $1 to us or another charity for every pie they sold,“ Sam said.
“So then Peregian Beach Bakery were just amazing and really got into it and wanted to know more about what we did.
“The team has been wearing our shirts and they’re just a really good bunch of people to be involved with.“
Sam said he encouraged all local men to grab their mates and get down there every Thursday to have a chin wag.
“It’s simple. It’s relaxed. Just come and be yourself,“ he said.
“If anyone wants to run an event in Noosa that would be grouse.“
The Peregian Beach Bakery is located at 10 Kingfisher Dr, Peregian Beach.
For more information visit www.grablifebytheballs.com.au
