A successful trip to the South Grafton Rebels Rugby League club by True Blue Paul Langmack and the NSWRL’s ‘Changing Rooms’ program has led to other groups wanting to utilise his mental fitness sessions.
“Word of mouth is spreading and that’s a good thing because I want to get to more regional areas in NSW as they are the ones where kids can feel a little remote or alone,” Langmack said.
Langmack and a group of professional social workers visit charity organisations, Police Youth Clubs, schools, community groups, and Rugby League clubs to offer guidance on how to cope with life’s pressures.
“The message this year will be more about how to enjoy your life by improving your mental fitness,” Langmack said.
“Kids are stressing out and they should be enjoying life at their young age.
“But the pressure around mobile phones and social media means things can build up inside them quite quickly.”
Langmack spoke to 206 kids at the South Grafton Rebels, which led to the NSW Mid-North Coast Local Health District, based further south at Port Macquarie, wanting to sign-up for a session at the Lake Cathie Raiders.
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) heard about ‘Changing Rooms’ and is interested in engaging Langmack and his team.
“The South Grafton Rebels had 13 teams or groups come to listen to us and that’s a credit to the organisers at the club like Janita Cooper,” he said.
“It’s a well-run club and I hope we helped the kids a little.”
Langmack is off to the Nowra Warriors Junior Rugby League Club on the NSW south coast later in March and expects more talks to follow after former NRL player Ashton Sims emailed all the clubs in the area.
“I’m following those up, alongside with the Campsie and Bankstown police stations asking me to come and speak to schools and groups in those two areas,” Langmack said.
So far this year Langmack has spoken with over 400 boys and girls aged from Under 11s through to Under 18s. He spoke to 2,500 kids in 2022 but he wants that figure to expand to 4,000 in 2023.
