Carpe Diem in Ross Creek: Seizing the day for men's health

Over the past six years of performing Carpe Diem in countless towns in rural Australia, veteran actor John Wood has seen men's mental health become much more widely spoken about.

But the issues still remain and men are reluctant to reach out and seek help if their mental health takes a turn for the worse.

"It's a very simple play about two guys talking about their problems and therefore getting them off their chest and taking a road to recovery rather than a road to suicide," Wood said.

Set in a fictional town in inland Australia, Carpe Diem portrays the friendship of Nev, a hard working farmer, and John his stock agent friend. Both, have been impacted by the long running drought, and are each suffering their own personal crisis.

It stresses the importance of mate-ship and professional care in times of crises.

"We started out in drought, we've been out in flood, been out in the dairy industry as it started to collapse, out in bushfire areas ... this play has been terrifically relevant to each situation," Wood said.

"Women undergo all the same sorts of problem but women are at least prepared to talk about their problems with each other; men have been left behind for years by their own reluctance to reach out."

This week Wood and co-star John Voce, who has appeared in Downton Abbey, Dr Who and Miranda, bring Carpe Diem to Rokewood on Friday, and Ross Creek on Saturday.

After the hour-long show there is a supper, a Q and A session and time to chat.

In previous years Wood's co-star was Chris Pidd, who was also a counsellor and ran the Albury Lifeline office, and he would facilitate the Q and A session after the show. Now they rely on local health services, in this case Ballarat Community Health, to chair the session.

IN OTHER NEWS

But there's also opportunity for a relaxed chat and supper.

"It's a very social occasion for everybody. The great thing about doing this in a small town is you get the whole community involved. In a small town in New England with a population of 50, we had an audience of 150!"

Carpe Diem is at Ross Creek Recreation Centre on Saturday May 1. Entry is a gold coin donation and light supper is provided, but tickets must be booked through eventbrite.com.au or by calling 5220 7111.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14. Help is also available, but not limited, via the following organisations. The key message is you are not alone.

Our team of local journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the Ballarat community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: