Father’s Day started like a normal Sunday for Joseph Meli. That was until he was out walking through Crown Street Mall around Midday and noticed models on the catwalk during Heat 2 of Illawarra’s Top Model.
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Joseph has suffered from mental health personally and thought to himself “what a great thing they are doing”.
But it also got him thinking about what he could do to raise some more awareness and turn the depressing feeling that comes from the impact of a mental illness episode on its head.
He had an idea but was not sure whether to go through with it or not.
So he walked into Wollongong Central shopping centre and asked some ladies in a lingerie store whether they could find something in his size.
Joseph told them what he was thinking about doing to help focus some attention on mental health and they smiled and were happy to help him.
What followed was a 20-second walk on the Illawarra’s Top Model Highlights on Mental Health catwalk that how now been watched by more than 82,000 times.
When asked about his moves he said he had never worn women’s clothing before or walked on a runway.
“I’m 20 years old,” he said.
“I grew up in Canberra originally but moved to Wollongong a year ago. I am now working as a concreter. I think sometimes when it comes to mental illness people can get caught in the trap of overthinking everything and focusing on the what ifs and spiraling through a puddle of anxiety. I guess the opposite of depression in my mind is expression. I chose to get out there and do something and just live in the moment. I decided to be my happy self.”
Mr Meli said what he did was not premeditated.
It was just him fitting in with his philosophy for tackling his own mental health issues. And that was to live in the moment and in the present.
“I was just walking through town and saw the event going on and thought I would jump up and see if I could participate,” he said.
Mr Meli said he put the lingerie on under his clothes and waited for a moment when he thought he wouldn’t disrupt the models who were already doing a great thing. He said he didn’t want to wait too long because the outfit was pretty tight. “I didn’t want to interrupt the show too much,” he said.
Illawarra’s Top Model event founder Robyn te Velde said she thought the models had played a trick on her when Joseph made his lingerie clad appearance. As everyone prepares for Saturday’s semi final it has been described it as harmless fun. He said he thought about making a re-appearance and would be interested in participating in a future Illawarra’s Top Model event because Highlights on Mental Health was such an important issue.
“I would be happy to help raise more awareness and help break the stigma,” he said.
“I think everyone goes through hard times in life. Sometimes it is a re-occurring issue. I just try and stay positive I guess.
‘’Situations change and circumstances change and I try and embrace the change and remain hopeful that things will get better.
‘’I’ve seen people in the construction industry and people in my sporting field of rugby union and in school and youth groups struggle.
‘’It can affect any person of any age and any gender. You can be a tough person and still have a tough time.”
Mr Meli said it was great to see what the models were doing. But he wanted to show everyone could do something no matter how they looked.
He said his biggest challenge came after the weekend.
“When I rocked up at work...one bloke gave me a bit of a weird look and said “are you that person in the paper?” He showed it to me and all the fellows had a bit of a laugh.”
Mr Meli said he was nervous just before he did it but looking back he is glad he did.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect but the reaction has been quite positive and I am grateful that I can now have a chat about mental health,” he said.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
