Blues legend Paul Langmack brought the NRL’s ‘Changing Rooms’ mental health program to the Clarence Valley Last week visiting the South Grafton Rebels Rugby League Club.

The former Bulldogs and Magpies enforcer and a group of social workers visit charity organisations, Police Youth Clubs, schools’ community groups and Rugby League clubs in the ‘Changing Rooms’ program to offer guidance and advice on how to cope with life’s pressures.

“The message this year will be more about how to enjoy your life by improving your mental fitness,” Langmack said.

“Kids are stressing out and they should be enjoying life at their young age.

“But the pressure around mobile phones and social media means things can build up inside them quite quickly.

“Word of mouth is spreading and that’s a good thing because I want to get to more regional areas in NSW as they are the ones where kids can feel a little remote or alone.”

At the South Grafton Rebels, Langmack spoke to 206 kids, which prompted the NSW Mid-North Coast Local Health District, based further south at Port Macquarie, wanting to sign-up for a session at the Lake Cathie Raiders.

“The South Grafton Rebels had 13 teams or groups come to listen to us and that’s a credit to the organisers at the club like Janita Cooper,” he said.

“It’s a well-run club and I hope we helped the kids a little.”

Word about the program is quickly spreading, with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program interested in engaging Langmack and his team after hearing great things about ‘Changing Rooms’.

This year as part of ‘Changing Rooms’ Langmack has spoken to more than 400 kids from under 11s through to under 18s.

In 2022 Langmack spoke to 2500 kids and he wants to expand that figure to 4000 kids in 2023.