With an epidemic of mental illness rocking the Riverina community during the early stages of 2020, NSW Rugby League called in one of their biggest and brightest stars to help the youth of Griffith.
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Brad 'Freddy' Fittler spent two days in the city, speaking at Marian Catholic College and Murrumbidgee Regional High School about the importance of self-care.
"I just don't think kids get told the truth, they're all bluffed and nobody attacks the proper problems," Fittler explained.
"They're left in the lurch, they're in the dark, no one's giving them a chance."
The current State of Origin coach and ex-NRL footballer opened up about how he overcame pressure in high-stake situations.
"Just breathe," Fittler said.
"Just breathe and do the little things right."
The benefits of meditation, hydration, exercise, nutrition and sleep were all signalled by the rugby league Hall of Famer, with even further mention being made of negative trends associated with today's digital climate.
Students were encouraged to ditch their cell phones in favour of real conversation with friends and family, and to swap late-nights out for early-morning walks.
"We teach them the basic fundamentals, if you can get those right, things will never get to that extreme level," Fittler explained.
"Really, soon as we heard what's been going on here in Griffith, we were straight down here, you know."
Murrumbidgee currently has the highest suicide rate in NSW, prompting intervention and calls for action from across the country.
Holly Fuda, well-being education manager at NSWRL, worked alongside Mr Fittler during their MIA tour, lending an element of academic expertise to proceedings.
"Our reason for coming to Griffith is to educate as many students and as many people in the community as we can on some positive strategies for wellbeing," Ms Fuda said.
"Make sure you sleep, eat well, drink lots of water, then make sure you check in on your mates and support each other."
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