Unfortunately he's not returning with the Sharks' latest trophy or to help develop junior players but a far more serious mission.

He's going to talk about mental health and his own struggles with the important topic.

There has been a number of tragedies which have rocked our community and we need to stop clinging to old traditions because they're doing more harm than good.

Often when we talk about mental health and it's importance, we only scratch the surface or if it's in the lead-up to R U OK Day.

This has to change.

It's not good enough to pay lip service to an incredibly important topic which can cost the lives of all people, young and old.

It's easy to think that anxiety or depression can be ignored, or it might not happen to anyone you know.

It's easy to ignore signs that people might not actually be OK and suggest they just have a beer or that they get over it, or there's nothing that can be done.

Letting someone know that they're not alone or that you can help only takes a conversation.

Sometimes that conversation is going to tackle tough issues and it can be unpleasant.

The key is not to judge but to listen to what people are going through and not simply brush it away.

Fifita told The Area News that mental health is similar to physical health, sometimes we can leave the field with an injury.

"I think the clear message is that it's not weak to talk to someone," he said.

And he's right.

Asking for someone for help requires more courage than staying silent and there's always someone that can help.

Fifita's talk is aimed for young people aged between 12 and 18-years-old, however the message is more than appropriate for older members of our community.

We are all in this together and to see young people taking their lives is a tragedy and they need to know there's always an alternative.

Helping the people that ask for help is key and it's a responsibility that we all share.

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