McEwan, who presented sport on Network 10 for 20 years, has spoken publicly for the first time with the help of mental health support organisation Beyond Blue and its new podcast Not Alone.“It’s not something that comes up in most conversations, but when you’re reminded of how difficult that period was, I was sad and found myself getting emotional,’’ McEwan told the Herald Sun.“The whole family was as I never go into the depths of the days and the hours of losing (my brother) Craig and Dad (Bob).“Having been a Beyond Blue ambassador for a decade or so, I just felt like I needed to. “I wasn’t being true to myself or our experience as a family if I didn’t put my hand up. I’m very aware that conversations save lives and I was aware it would involve going deeper and reliving a harrowing time in our lives. And that wasn’t easy. We all know how much it’s going to help people.”Craig passed away in 1989 at age 19 and Bob at the end of 1990 in his mid 50s. They grew up in a small town called Lockington, near Echuca.“I did touch on it briefly in the late news one night, talking about mental health and suicide, that was difficult and not to this extent,’’ McEwan said.“The sad thing is I can look at a picture of my brother and he was a teenager at the time but in my head and my eyes he still looks older than me and that’s the way I will remember him.“Mum (Marg) was a district nurse in a small town and mum’s whole life was dedicated to helping everyone else and there she was helping everyone else and there was this turmoil happening at home. She would always say everyone has stuff, we’re all dealing with things.”McEwan, who lives in Melbourne and works in leadership and media training, wants attitudes towards mental health to change.“Conversations around mental health, my goal is that they will no different to conversations around physical health,’’ he said.“It really hits home the contrast in attitudes. Mental health and wellbeing is no different to physical health and wellbeing.“I’ve lost other friends to suicide as well and to have two within the immediate family, that is a numbness and a scarring that is with you forever. It’s crushing because help is available.“I’m not going to say if it helps, of course it will help, because conversations save lives.”McEwan’s story is available from Tuesday.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/not-aloneLifeline 131 114
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