Castlemaine grass-roots suicide prevention charity HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) had a fantastic morning at Parliament House last Wednesday February 22 delivering a HALT talk to the tradies working on site, the maintenance team, politicians and staff.
HALT events provide tradies and apprentices with the tools to start having conversations about mental health and encourage tradies to support their mates when they’re going through tough times.
Bendigo West MP and Legislative Assembly speaker Maree Edwards facilitated and organised the event which enabled HALT founder Jeremy Forbes and the HALT team to make a presentation to around 70 politicians, tradies, maintenance staff and other parliament staff about mental health and suicide prevention.
“It was wonderful to have the whole HALT team at Spring Street for the event,” Forbes said.
“There were lots of positive and supportive conversations amongst the tradies and politicians after the event and HALT has already organised upcoming meetings with politicians who are keen to support HALT and see it grow across the state, and with Building and Construction representatives who were there and would like HALT to come out to their work sites to talk with their teams,” he said.
“HALT especially thanks Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards who has been a long-term supporter of HALT and led the charge to get HALT down to Parliament,” Forbes said.
Ms Edwards said the event was “inspiring”.
“HALT was founded back in 2013 by Castlemaine’s Jeremy Forbes, and their talks remind tradies about mental health and suicide prevention supports available. Thousands around the state have been moved and empowered by their talks,” Ms Edwards said.
“I was proud to host one of their famous Save Your Bacon brekkies (without the bacon!) for our parliamentary tradies as well as MPs.
“I’ve known Jeremy for a decade, and the visit by his team was as incredible as ever.
“Thanks to the HALT team for making the trip – and thank you to so many of my colleagues and the parliamentary tradies for coming along!” she said.
