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Tully Support Centre News

with Shane Greenwood

54 Bryant Street, Tully - 4068 1004

INTERNATIONAL Men's Health Week runs from June 14 – 20 and is an important opportunity to highlight men's health and what it means to be healthy.

The theme for 2021 is “Connecting for Men’s Health Week”. This year Men’s Health Week is working to connect men with community, men’s groups, culture, mates, and families.

Why is Australian male health so in need of attention?

More males die at every stage of life. More males have accidents, more males take their own lives, and more males suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than females at the same age.

According to Men’s Health Week website: • 6 of the 8 suicides that occur every day in Australia are men. • Unemployed men are 5 times more like to suicide than unemployed females. • 1 in 5 men will experience anxiety. • 1 in 8 men will experience depression. • Men will live the last 11 years of their lives in poorer health. • On average, men die 5 years earlier, and • Are also 3 times more likely to die of skin cancer, liver disease, or lung cancer. Simple Changes

However, there are simple changes that men can make to improve their physical and mental health: • Walking 30 minutes a day reduces your risk of heart disease by 25%. • Sleeping 7-8 hours a night reduces their risk of a fatal heart attack by 60%. • Being active reduces your risk of depression by 60%. • Drinking less than 10 alcohol drinks a week halves your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. • Eat a healthy balanced diet.

We are all busy and this is a common excuse men use to not to make changes. But being healthy does not have to be a chore and it does not have to take precious time. Eat less, move more, choose healthier options, and enjoy your life!

Stretch your arms catching a fish, bowl some leggies to your kids (or your mates), mow the lawn, walk the dog, dance with your partner; it is not hard, and it will improve your life and your relationships.

WAIT – yes, work can be exercise.

But it does not always have a good impact on our mental health and our relationships.

Start the conversation!

Men are stubborn creatures, to say the least. We are slow to take preventative measures and do not go to the doctor. Unfortunately, eating healthily and exercise seem to still be things to make fun of, while drinking to excess and having a ‘dad-bod’ is a badge of honour, to be worn proudly, and even boasted about!

The reality is, if we spent half as much time maintaining ourselves as we do our utes, fishing gear, and sheds, there would be no problem. Considering most men’s health issues and diseases are preventable by simple lifestyle changes, isn’t it time to start that conversation and make those changes?

Men’s Health Week is the time and the opportunity to make changes where they are needed but also to share in the good things that are happening.

Please start those conversations with the men and boys in your life!

For more information on Men’s Health week go to; www.menshealthweek.org.au

The Tully Support Centre is funded by the Queensland Government and services communities throughout the Cassowary Coast.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully and is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

To register your interest or for more information about groups and other services, please call 40 681 004, or visit the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre.com.au or follow us on Facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”.

More carparks a desperately needed for Innisfail Hospital

AFTER decades of lobbying the push for more parking at the Innisfail Hospital is a step closer with representatives of Good Counsel Primary, Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Member for Hill Shane Knuth having a successful meeting with the Minister for Health office and the Minister for Transport office this week.

Mr Knuth said he had raised the matter in parliament, tabled a petition and had meetings with the previous Health Minister over the need for upgrades and they were finally getting traction.

“The lack of parking at the hospital is a massive pressing issue, especially with the elderly trying to navigate their way to the hospital with the lack of available parking and steep hills,” Mr Knuth said.

“If something is not done, the situation will only get worse for everyone with schools and other services in close proximity to the hospital.”

Cassowary Coast Regional Council mayor Mark Nolan said the need for additional car park spaces is vital to ensure patients and visitors have ease of access to the facility.

“The community has voiced their frustrations over the lack of parking available at the hospital. This project proposes an additional 50 parking bays which will ensure visitors and patients have a designated parking area which is in a close proximity to the hospital,” Cr Nolan said.

“It is important that we look after our elderly, parents with young children and people in need and this is a simple step to putting these people first.”

Cassowary Coast Regional Council division four councillor, Nick Pervan said nearby school, Good Counsel Primary School had also been heavily involved in the planning of this project. Improving road safety for students is another important facet of this project.

“I would like to thank Shane Knuth for his efforts in helping to seek funding support from the state government and for the Lioness Club, who alongside local residents have made a concerted community-led effort to raise this matter to improve car parking and safety along this section of road,” Cr Pervan said.

Innisfail Lioness Club board director Jill Sorenson said this had been going on for years.

“I just hope this comes to fruition as the car park is full all the time, even out of visiting hours,” Mrs Sorenson.

“It has always been a problem, and something needs to be done.

“It isn’t great for people who have to park down near the school and have to walk up the hill. No wonder their blood pressure is high when they get to the school.

“This isn’t good enough. It will be a big job but it will be good in the long run.”