Andrew Fifita will be hosting an open discussion about mental health at the Southside Leagues Club in Griffith on Saturday night.
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The ex-Griffith boy and current Cronulla Shark has been rocked by the recent tragedies that have taken lives across the MIA, and with his extensive background in the Riverina playing rugby for Waratahs, it all hit too close to home for the NRL prop.
"I'll be coming to Griffith and sharing my story, from the little things in life to the ups-and-downs of my career," Fifita explained.
"From where life almost took me and the direction I was heading in, to how I got out of it all."
His talk will target 12 to 18-year-old teenagers, but parents are also encouraged to attend.
No alcohol will be permitted at the event, as the open conversation aims to serve as a sobering look into the mental health epidemic currently ravaging the nation.
Fifita believes the best foot forward is to eliminate the stigma that currently surrounds mental health.
"I think the clear message is that it's not weak to talk to someone," he said.
"I'm one of the biggest guys on an NRL platform and you know, it was hard, but I asked someone for help.
"There's always going to be someone to talk to, even if you're a girlfriend or a boyfriend or just anyone in general, I just want to encourage people to talk."
The Indigenous All Star has played part in a number of controversies throughout his rugby career, which ultimately led to a decline in his mental state.
But for Fifita, sharing his story will only encourage others to seek help before it's too late.
"I could go out on the footy field and do my knee in, or my arm in, but with mental health it's kind of the same thing," he explained.
"It can always be fixed and it can always be helped, there's always someone there who really cares about you and is willing to lend a helping hand."
Fifita will begin his mental health discussion at 6pm, with assistance from the team at Wellways Australia.
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