Working as a surfboard shaper can be a bit like being a barber or a bartender – you’re likely to hear a lot about people’s lives while on the job.
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That’s been the experience of long-time Bulli boardrider and shaper Paul Nichol, who doesn’t mind having a chinwag with whomever might come round.
In fact, he thinks it’s a great way to make sure your mates are doing alright, particularly people who know what depression is like.
Depression and suicide are coming out from the shadows into places where people can speak more openly about it. And not a moment too soon, with national statistics this week showing suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44.
Let that sink in. The leading cause of death.
Nichol, 63, wants to help, and he has shaped a special 9-foot-4 Hawaiian Gun surfboard which he will raffle off to raise money for Beyond Blue. It’s worth about $1500 but the money is a small gesture; what the surfer really wants is to get people talking about the issue.
And even better, get them talking to their mates who might need a friendly face to chat to when times are tough.
While the surf subculture has been traditionally blokey, and men are renowned for keeping their feelings to themselves, Nichol said he finds blokes often really want to talk things over – and we should make sure we can be there for them.
“I have a few mates who struggle with depression and they call me up a couple of times a year, saying the ‘black dog has got me’,” he said.
“As a shaper, I used to have people come in and while we’re working, talk about issues they might be having. I’d talk it through with them, and advise them to call the help lines, or ring a mate.”
And friends can be more proactive reaching out.
“On the other side of it, if you’ve got a mate who’s having a hard time, go and see him, give him a call.”
Nichol’s blue board will be at the Warilla Hotel, where tickets will be sold. He is easily found on Facebook. The raffle will be drawn at the end of November.
If you are experiencing troubles with depression, you can call Lifeline on 131114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for support.