Paralympian Scott Reardon will lead The Temora Shire – The Resilient Men Program. Photo: Supplied.
A groundbreaking mental health initiative has been launched in the Riverina with the support of a $50,000 government grant in a bid to address rural men’s mental health challenges and the barriers they face in seeking help.
Farmers, tradies, business owners, and sports club members in rural areas face significantly higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges than their urban counterparts. They often battle stress, isolation, and the pressure to ‘tough it out,’ making it difficult to seek help.
Temora Paralympian Scott Reardon and his business, SISU Collective, joined hands with Temora Business Enterprise Group (TBEG) to launch the Temora Shire – The Resilient Men Program earlier this week.
Through his lived experience, Scott will lead this initiative as a resilience coach, helping men develop practical skills in resilience, mindfulness, purpose, and connection.
“Temora is my hometown, and being part of something that brings these skills into the community is really important,” Scott told Region.
“I’ve lost friends from this community to suicide. I know how crucial it is to ensure that we all have the tools and strategies to overcome our challenges.
“One of the main things we’re focusing on is reconnecting with what we loved growing up and re-engaging with the communities that brought us joy.
“When we reconnect with those communities, we start to move more, talk more, and build more genuine connections, which is vital.”
The initiative aims to break the stigma around mental health and give men the tools to navigate challenges and the confidence to seek support from their mates when needed.
“The foundation of what we do is based on four non-negotiables: sleep, connection, diet (food and water), and movement,” Scott said.
“Then, in the workshop, we focus on four pillars: gratitude, mindfulness, purpose, and support systems.
“Support systems tie back into connection and companionship. In male communities, we often struggle with opening up, but simply verbalising what we’re going through and having someone there to support us can make a huge difference.”
The resilience coach said children across schools in Temora were also running the resilience project.
“They’re learning these skills from a young age, but when they go home, they often have no-one to discuss it with because their parents aren’t familiar with the language and concepts being taught,” Scott said.
“We’re trying to bridge that gap, so when a child comes home, instead of struggling to explain what they’ve learned, their dad can ask, ‘What were you grateful for today?’ or ‘What made you smile?’
“By encouraging better conversations, we create an environment where these skills become part of everyday life.”
Scott said the initiative wasn’t just for Temora.
“We want to test and adapt the program here, then expand it to places like Coolamon and West Wyalong. The goal is to create something that people can immediately connect with and benefit from,” he said.
TBEG Executive Officer Shontayne Ward said the program was about more than talking — it was about action.
“TBEG is deeply committed to supporting the well-being of our local community, particularly in the face of challenges that impact mental health and resilience,” Shontayne said.
“Scott’s leadership, lived experience, and connection to the community make him the perfect person to drive real change for men facing mental health challenges in our community.
“By fostering a culture where men feel comfortable discussing their mental health, The Resilient Men Program will empower rural men to take charge of their well-being, support each other, and build a stronger, healthier community.”
Shontayne said the local community and businesses had responded tremendously since the program was launched.
“Although it’s in the early days, the program is generating a lot of positive buzz, especially on social media, where we’ve seen significant engagement,” she said.
“Local businesses have expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, and we’re optimistic about the potential for collaboration moving forward.
“We’re hopeful that we will continue to see the support growing and are looking forward to seeing how this program will benefit our community in the coming weeks and months.”
There are also plans to launch a female-focused program.
The Temora Shire – The Resilient Men Program will run from April through to October and will deliver:
- Keynote presentations from Scott Reardon
- Resilience workshops facilitated by Scott, along with other inspiring guest speakers
- Movement and mindfulness activities such as access to a gym, yoga, and mindfulness classes
- Community gatherings, including a long lunch and bowls day for program participants.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
