I travelled to Wagga with a friend of mine, and mental health advocate, Matthew Johnstone. We were speaking at an event put on by Riverina Bluebells for resiliance and mental health awareness.

 

The talks were for high school students during the day and then for the community in the evening. The topics were around resilience and mental health.

 

I chatted with Matt on the plane about everything mental health. He is a man I look up to, and love chatting with him.

 

Arriving in Wagga we were picked up by one of the organisers and taken to our accommodation. Wagga is absolutely beautiful! It was the first time I had been, and was surprised at how big the town actually was.

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"He (Luke S. Kennedy) told more than 300 high school students in Wagga on Thursday he would be dead by now if he had not made a key change to his life – he stopped worrying about what other people thought.

He stopped trying to impress the crew in his gang, and after a few stop-starts along the way to a new life is now a successful businessman. "- Ken Grimson, Daily Advertiser.

 

The talk was at Wagga RSL club and it was packed! I watched Matt speak first, before I was introduced.

 

Standing in front of a packed audience as a motivational speaker is something special. Seeing students nod their heads and understanding what you're getting across, is what it's all about.

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"Mr Kennedy was one of five mental health advocates who spoke to the teenagers from throughout the Riverina at the Wagga RSL Club about developing skills to maintain resilience, an inner toughness and a better sense of well-being." Ken Grimson, Daily Advertiser.

 

Later in the evening was in front of the community of wagga - mostly adults. Matt and I presented again before an open forum where the audience could ask us any questions and discuss some issues relating to drugs, alcohol, mental health, and suicide. They're deep topics that need to be openly addressed. After the night was over Matt and I did a book signing and answered more questions. After a big day of speaking, it can be incredibly draining. I retired to my room afterwards and slept like a baby.

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Luke S. Kennedy is a Motivational Speaker for large corporations, events, schools, prisons, and charity organisations. 

The presentation was organised by mental health advocate, Riverina Bluebell.