Pair take mental health message to the skies

Flying around Australia only months after receiving a pilot’s licence is not something most people would consider taking on.

But for one Queensland man and his mate, the mission was bigger than just a great adventure — it was about raising awareness and funds for mental health.

The Flight Beyond team of pilot Jerom Fox, who is a mining worker in his day job, and final-year medical student Adrian Luscombe touched down in Hedland in their one-engine 1977 Cessna 182 last month.

While the visit to Port Hedland was not a long one, their message about looking after mental health has rung true in each of the communities they have visited.

Mr Fox said the trip was motivated by a conversation he and Mr Luscombe had after a student at the hospital Mr Luscombe worked at committed suicide.

He said both had witnessed first-hand the effects of mental health issues in the high-risk industries in which they worked.

“The main aim is to raise awareness of mental illness, particularly in our industries, ” Mr Fox said.

“Everyone we have talked to has said this is tremendous … and people are really starting to talk about it, which is the main game … we want to start conversations.”

Mr Fox said the pair had a goal of raising $25,000 for Beyondblue by the time they returned to Queensland later this week.

During their visit to Hedland, the pair were hosted by Goodline, where Mr Fox’s younger brother Edmund works, and travelled to Roy Hill, bringing their mental health message to about 700 mining workers.

Mr Luscombe said it was significant that two men in their mid-20s were speaking to other men about mental health.

“Males are typically poor at seeking health advice or going to doctors, especially when it comes to mental health — they tend to be quite stoic, especially the more rural and regional you go, ” he said.

“So I think two young males talking about mental health issues is really important and it’s a good step forward.

“It shows other people that it is OK to talk about it and reduces the stigma around mental health problems.”

The pair also took the time to unveil new graphics on the side of their plane highlighting Goodline’s role as trip partner.

Goodline operations manager Jane Kennedy said the company was keen to get on board because everyone in the industry had been touched by mental health issues.

She said recently Goodline had experienced a number of tragedies that had an impact on the mental health of their employees.

“Most people who have worked for us have done for between five and 10 years, everybody knows everybody ... and it affects them all, ” she said.

“I’m a woman in the industry, but it is true that men don’t like to open up.

“We’ve had a big focus recently because a lot of them seem to think they have to have a huge story to tell, but they can just call up (an assistance helpline) and say: ‘I don’t feel good and I don’t know why.’”

Mr Fox said Goodline’s willingness to engage with the project had been priceless and it meant the pair walked away from Port Hedland feeling they had made a difference.

So far, the Flight Beyond team has raised about $14,000 of their $25,000 goal.

To follow the pair’s journey, visit Flight Beyond’s Facebook page, or to donate search for the online campaign at Everyday Hero or visit the Beyondblue website.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.