Former Australian cricketer to head to Busselton for Mental Health Week

A former Australian cricket captain is heading to Busselton for mental health week.

Kim Hughes is partnering with MenAble, The Man Walk and Richmond Wellbeing, to talk with men about mental health.

Hughes was a star for both Western Australia and Australia, making his Test debut in 1977.

He captained Australia in 28 Tests and made 4415 runs at an average of 37.41.

The event starts with a walk along the jetty followed by a presentation from Hughes at Shelter Brewing Co.

MenAble chair David Barton said it was great chance for local men to help eliminate the stigmas around men’s mental health.

“It’s an opportunity to bring a legend of Australian cricket down to the Busselton community, to talk about his journey both in the sport, but the challenges that he faced working with his own mental health journey, following his cricketing career,” he said

“We have been talking about the collaboration between Richmond Wellbeing, MenAble and The Man Walk for a while and we thought that doing this during Mental Health Week would be a great way to highlight the event.”

Paul Peacock will speak with Hughes.

Mr Peacock is Richmond Wellbeing’s lead facilitator and has years of experience working in human services and has a strong passion and understanding for mental health.

Mr Barton said it would be very “powerful” to hear Hughes speak about his struggles.

“To have people who have been national champions and had success at the highest level of international cricket, to be able to highlight that all people, including people, such as Kim, have their struggles along their journey is really important,” he said.

“I think it contributes to men feeling that it’s actually normal to have challenges at times and the more we talk openly and speak about those challenges, the more we can support one another to grow and move through whatever those challenges might be.”

The attendees will have the opportunity to ask both Hughes and Mr Peacock questions.

The event will be held on Monday the walk will begin at 6.30am on the Busselton Jetty and the presentation will be at 7.15am.

The event is for men 18 years and above. To register go to the MenAble Facebook page or go to the eventbrite website.