Asking the big questions at upcoming mental health forum

By Nicola Ceccato

Feb 22, 2024

**Answering the call:** GV Finance Brokers’ Simon Quattrocchi is proactively addressing the community’s mental health concerns by asking the important questions. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The work of finance brokers undoubtedly is money-focused, but more often than not, they get a glimpse into the other struggles behind a client’s financial distresses.

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This is a common situation GV Finance Brokers owner Simon Quattrocchi has had presented to him throughout his 21 years of being a finance broker.

“We get clients in distress, and they don’t know where to go,” he said.

“They might be in financial stress, but you can see underlying issues occurring.

“I have no idea how to say you can go here for help.

“I thought if I had mental health struggles, where would I go, and when I looked into it, it was a minefield to work out.”

Then, the idea for The Big Ask was born.

The Big Ask is a mental health forum hosted by GV Finance Brokers that will provide information on where people can take the first steps to get help.

The inaugural event will feature a panel of speakers, including various mental health service agencies, who will talk about what their services can do to help.

Mr Quattrocchi said it’s the perfect space for those who are dealing with mental health issues and an opportunity for organisations interested in offering this support to their employees.

“There are so many providers out there; we just wanted to untangle it for the community,” he said.

“For people who recognise they’ve got some (mental health) issues and don’t know where to start, it can be uncomfortable to admit it and uncertain who to see.

“At this event, people can sit there and listen to these providers, and they cover a variety of areas, and people can think that relates to me, I can give that a go.”

One of the guest speakers at the event is AFL umpiring legend Ray ‘Razor’ Chamberlain.

Alongside his brothers, Brian and Peter, Mr Chamberlain helped establish the Chamberlain Foundation, a suicide prevention and mental health charity that provides support to mental health and suicide prevention organisations.

Other panel members include Donna McMahon, chief executive of Qualify/Well at Work; Dale Wright from Talking Straight; and Sönke Tremper from Giz a Break; plus representatives from Headspace Shepparton, Goulburn Valley Health, Beyond Blue and more.

The Big Ask forum is on Sunday, March 3, from 10am to 3pm at the Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, 23 Alexandra St, Mooroopna.

This event is free, with lunch provided by the Lions Club at a cost.

To register for The Big Ask, visit tinyurl.com/thebigask24