Mary O'Brien is passionate about Men's Mental Health. Her simple analogies resonate so clearly with blokes and women right across rural and regional Australia, helping them to understand the challenges around Mental Health and letting them know that there is help out there.

We were in town for the Riverine Plains Innovation Expo and off the back of her session, we thought we'd grab Mary O'Brien from Are You Bogged Mate to have a bit of a yarn about what her work is.

Mary travels the country running workshops, her approach is simple - start the conversation and use references that people can relate to.

When it comes to suicide the stats are quite alarming. 76% of suicides are men. Of all deaths of people aged 20-24, 40% are from suicide.

For every 1 death, there are 30 suicide attempts.

So why are people getting bogged, what are the simple steps for people to look after themselves and also those around us?

If this conversation does prompt any concerns for you or someone you know there is help out there. Our friends over at the TIACS helpline are available on 0488 846 988. or you can reach lifeline on 13 11 14.

Rural Mental Health - Are you bogged mate? with Mary O'Brien