Rhys’ Film May Be A Sucker Punch For Depression

One young man is tired of seeing the people he knows and loves broken into pieces because of the tragic and unnecessary loss of a loved one brought on by mental illness.

Rhys Parsons was brought up in Rankins Springs where community connections are so strong that everyone feels like family.

Fuelled by the tragic losses of a considerable number of young men from Rankins Springs and his own recent mental health diagnosis, Rhys, together with his family, has decided to bring a screenplay he wrote while in Uni to life.

“We’ve had a lot of young men die over the last ten years,” Rhys said.

“If it isn’t someone I know, it’s someone I know’s brother or son.”

“In a small community tragedies such as these have a huge impact on everyone.

“It’s certainly taking a toll on me.

“I don’t want to see those people I know and respect and love hurting.”

Rhys has been supported through his own mental health journey by his wife and family and now wants to use the story he wrote while studying for his Masters in Screenwriting to fight the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in the bush.

Depression has a penchant for knocking our boys from the bush around, but Rhys’ story may just be a way to fight back.

He needs your help to do it, though, because it takes money to make a film.

“Films are expensive to make,” Rhys said.

“I’ve got all the skills needed to get the job done.

“I think I can really make a difference.”

Why don’t you decide?

Rhys has started a GoFundMe campaign - https://www.gofundme.com/f/rankinsspringsmakesamovie to raise $30,000, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going straight to Boys to the Bush - https://boystothebush.org.au/ .

Rhys’ story centres around a teenager who plays the drums to vent his frustrations and follows through the day-to-day life of a boy growing up in the bush, a boy like Rhys.

He’s seen as a naughty kid, but as the story unfolds you get to see that he’s really just a troubled kid who needs someone to ask if he’s okay. Recognise anyone you know?

It promises to be an evocative film, drawing an emotional response from the viewer, and hopefully showing them that it is okay to give and receive a helping hand from time to time.

It is okay to not be okay.

Rhys chose Boys to the Bush as the recipient of his fundraising efforts because their catchphrase - it’s easier to build a strong boy than to repair a broken man - really resonated with him.

“I 100 per cent agree,” he said.

Can you help Rhys produce his film and make a difference for all the bush folk we know and love?

• Topics:

• Arts and Media
• Health & Wellbeing
• Fundraiser