Mike Rolls and Ben Pettingill are two mates on a mission to redefine what ‘tough’ means and arm people with practical tools to tackle challenges and improve mental health, especially in rural areas.
A dynamic duo, within minutes of meeting Mike and Ben it was clear that they’re not ‘preachy’ types and this was not going to be an ‘average mental health session’ as they quickly quipped ‘we’re affectionately known as Legless and Blind’.
An enthusiastic gathering listened on in interest to Mike and Ben’s talk at the Tourist Hotel in Narrabri and the bowling club in Wee Waa.
Mike contracted meningococcal at 18 resulting in the loss of his legs and Ben lost 98 per cent of his eyesight overnight at 16.
Simply put, they both know what it’s like to face rough times but use their own experiences and a generous dose of humour to make ‘uncomfortable topics comfortable’ and help others. For example, one promotional line for the tour is – ‘Hold on to your legs and don’t close your eyes!’
Naturally boasting the gift of the gab, it seems fitting the engaging and talented speakers have a podcast – ‘Talkin Tough’.
The conversations they share aim to make listeners rethink how we view the word ‘tough’ through storytelling, connection and ‘a good ol’ dose of banter’ so that anyone doing it tough feels more at ease about reaching out for help.
“Toughness and what toughness truly is in the modern world because you go out to rural and regional towns where the suicide rates are higher than they are in metropolitan cities for a whole range of different factors and that old school definition of tough, of sucking it up and not complaining … but there’s probably got to be something that we can bolt onto that to give it more value and start getting people to start opening up and talking about it when they are having a challenging time in their life,” said Mike.
Their down-to-earth and witty approach works. Mike and Ben’s tour of the North West has been the talk of the town (in all the right ways) and a popular social catch-up for locals. An added bonus, considering it’s no secret getting out of the house and creating in-person connections is so important for people’s wellbeing.
“I think that’s part of the big thing for us is how do we get, more blokes, more people in the room from country towns. If you advertised a ‘mental health information session’, they’d go – ‘that’s not for me’,” said Ben.
“So, it’s through storytelling, it’s through that tongue-in-cheek humour and that connects with Aussies, especially in the bush,” added Ben.
“So, when you say ‘come and have a yarn with ‘Legless and Blind’ behind the bar at the bowlo, they go,’ yeah, alright, we can do that’.
And then all of a sudden you’ve got blokes in here that would never rock up to a mental health information session.”
Jokes aside, don’t underestimate how serious Mike and Ben are about making a seriously positive impact and encouraging people to speak up as well as check-in with their mates.
“If you notice that someone’s not okay, walk up to the fence and meet them there.
“And have that conversation. And there’s some really practical tools and tips on how to do it,” added Ben.
As well as Narrabri and Wee Waa, the podcasters have visited Rowena, Moree, local schools and businesses.
The Mates On A Mission event was made possible through Ski for Life.
Ski for Life is a South Australian charity committed to improving mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention in rural and regional communities across the country.
As reported earlier this year, members of the Wee Waa Ski for Life team geared up for a three-day, 450-kilometre water skiing challenge along the mighty Murray River in South Australia in March with Ski for Life.
“This is the second time we are fielding a team, the first was in 2018,” explained team captain John Tully just before they set off.
“We were blown away by the terrific support we were able to attract from across the Narrabri Shire then, and this time it’s looking good too.
“We’ve lost too many people to mental health. Our local team is raising the funds to be able to bring more support here, and more inspirational speakers to talk with our young people and community gatherings about mental fitness.”
At the event in Wee Waa, Mr Tully said “we’re very excited to bring them here”.
“We’ve known the guys for a fair while now and we know what they’re capable of and what they can bring to small rural communities.
“When we got the opportunity from Ski for Life – due to the money we raised, thanks to the local people in these small towns – we couldn’t think of a better way to give back than to bring Ben and Mike out here and let people hear their story and drive home the pretty good message that they deliver.
“I think even just the inspiring story these boys tell of the adversity they’ve overcome, and the things that they do now are just amazing.
“The message they also deliver about talking up and talking tough, talking about the ‘tough stuff’, it’s something we do very poorly in the bush and it’s something I hope that improves after this tour.”
