Opening up as easy as A-B-C

That's how he measured the success of the Act-Belong-Commit (ABC) sessions held in Walgett earlier this year.

ABC is a joint program between the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (RAMHP) and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

The program was rolled out across the area that takes in the Barwon-Darling Rugby League competition.

Run in three stages, it started pre-season in April and May with a community gathering, followed by an education season and finally a community festival held from June to August.

Speaking at the community carnival in Walgett in August, which was held at the local community football shield, Charley, who has been president of the club for the past four years and is a role model for the local youths, said he's noticed a difference in his team.

"I've seen them open up a bit more and be aware that their families are coming first," he said.

Newtown Wanderers president Ricky Trudgett had similar praise for the program.

He brought 18 players to the event.

"It showed them that problems aren't something they have to face by themselves," Mr Trudgett said.

"They had more of a silent understanding - they don't advertise their problems - but these (players) saw there was outside help for them.

"You could see them listening to the speaker and nodding their heads. I think he got through to them."

Former NRL footballer Ronny Gibbs with some of the kids at the Walgett community festival.

Ronny Gibbs grew up in western NSW in Brewarrina and Bourke.

The former rugby league player, who now lives with his wife in Dubbo, was spokesman for the Act-Belong-Commit program and helps out with a number of NRL projects in the State's west.

"The stats aren't great for our Western area," he said, noting unemployment and drought were two of the big factors.

"People need somebody to support them and this program has brought a few people out to open up.

"A lot of people bottle it up and think they have nobody to talk to.

"Most men are pig-headed or stubborn but implementing it through the thing they love - rugby (league) - it works."

Ronny said he felt men were better at talking about mental health but it was important the support continued after they realise they have a problem.

"We need to follow up on this program. It can't just be a one off thing or a trial.

"If the support isn't there, they won't come back.

"They (support workers) can't just come to tick a box.

"We need follow up or during that time something is going to snap."

Ronny said isolation was one of the biggest problems facing people in rural NSW but education was the key.

As a youngster, he felt the pain of isolation moving from the country to the city to play football.

"I had to work five times as hard as anybody and the only support I had from my family was my wife.

"She was the only one that got me through.

"I was strong-willed and I set my goals."

As well as RAMHP and the department, Far West NSW Medicare Local, Far West Local Health District, Mission Australia, the Black Dog Institute, the Department of Primary Industries and the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly, were involved in the ABC partnership with support from the National Rugby League.

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