Mr Leon and Gidgee Healing’s chief executive Dallas Leon presented together at the recent Mount Isa Rural and Remote Health’s Are You Remotely Interested conference.

The topic they discussed was supporting the mental health of local indigenous men aged between 12 to 25-years, and the preemptive strategies that local community groups such as Gidgee Healing were doing to improve it. 

Ken Leon said that the findings from his community consultation resulted in the formation of an eight week program with local Mount Isa schools. 

The course includes cultural history, discussion of social issues such as substance abuse, and career prospects. 

“12 to 18-year olds still need to have something in mind with what they want to do with their lives, as well,” Mr Leon said. 

Spinifex Junior Campus has had 128 students enrolled in the course while the senior campus has 15, Mr Leon told conference attendees. 

Part of the aim was building momentum to get indigenous men to talk to somebody about how they were feeling, and to build up referral systems to other supportive organisations. There were also online and television awareness campaigns. 

“A lot of men say ‘sorry, but I won’t go to services in Mount Isa,” Mr Leon said. “So they all come to me, that’s a good referral pathway.’” 

Another recent project that Gidgee Healing had been involved in was the Men’s Health Golf Day held as part of Mount Isa Naidoc celebrations on July 1. 

“I was sceptical about it when Dallas suggested a golf day. How were we going to get black fellas to come out for a game of golf?” Mr Leon said. “It was a great day. It encouraged fathers to bring sons and nephews out as well.” Each tee had two questions about mental health that players discussed.