Ben & Frankie need your support.
Donation protected
Many of you may know Ben and Frankie Mayes from Kaleidoscope Vintage, or perhaps you’ve been looked after by one of them at Kombu or Number 5 over the last few years. They are the parents of two boys and have been active members of the Bellingen community for the last four and a half years.
Ben is a hard working family man, a loyal and patient friend and is probably best known for his observational humour and skinny jeans. Frankie is easily recognisable for her love of all things vintage and shibori, but more importantly, her passionate advocacy for ASD and her charitable works in the local area for people struggling with money, clothes or life’s basics, including her Care Bags for Coffs initiative.
Life is excruciatingly stressful for this family right now, and they could really use some love from their community in the form of financial support.
With their permission...
Ben has recently been admitted to an Acute Mental Health ward for treatment for a mental health crisis. Your old school nervous breakdown. What that looks like varies from person to person. In Ben’s case, he is able to do the basics, such as shower, eat and sleep, but that’s about it for now. He is being fully supported by the mental health team and his wife to get through each day.
This hasn’t been an overnight occurrence, Ben has been fighting this for over 9 years. Unfortunately it has become bigger than he can deal with on his own, so he is getting the help he deserves. He clearly needs time for treatment and recovery, and that’s why we are asking for your help.
Ben provides the only income source for the family, as Frankie is the full time carer for their youngest, who has autism spectrum disorder and is unable to attend school. She will also be Ben’s carer when he is discharged from hospital.
We don’t know whether Ben can return to work fulltime, but it certainly won’t be anytime soon. We want to ensure Ben and Frankie can focus solely on Ben’s health over the next few months. We hope to raise enough money to cover their rent and incidental expenses whilst Frankie and the boys put their energy into supporting their beloved husband and dad.
“Movember” is the month of awareness for men’s health issues. Whilst those crazy handlebar moustaches are a great prompt for conversations on men’s health, here is a perfect opportunity to make a concrete difference.
On average, 1 in 8 men will have depression and 1 in 5 men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.
While women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their depression or anxiety going unrecognised and untreated. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/men
It’s important to remember that depression and anxiety are conditions, not weaknesses, and effective treatments are available.
Ben has been courageous in his honesty about his current health crisis. He wants everyone to speak openly about mental health and recognise that it can affect anyone.
Bellingen has lost too many people to suicide or untreated mental health issues. Let’s keep looking after each other and make these discussions part of our normal.
Ben is hoping that by being open and honest about his condition, he may inspire others to speak out and seek the help they need, bringing mental health issues out of the darkness.
If you, or someone you know are affected by this page, please seek support.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Ben is a hard working family man, a loyal and patient friend and is probably best known for his observational humour and skinny jeans. Frankie is easily recognisable for her love of all things vintage and shibori, but more importantly, her passionate advocacy for ASD and her charitable works in the local area for people struggling with money, clothes or life’s basics, including her Care Bags for Coffs initiative.
Life is excruciatingly stressful for this family right now, and they could really use some love from their community in the form of financial support.
With their permission...
Ben has recently been admitted to an Acute Mental Health ward for treatment for a mental health crisis. Your old school nervous breakdown. What that looks like varies from person to person. In Ben’s case, he is able to do the basics, such as shower, eat and sleep, but that’s about it for now. He is being fully supported by the mental health team and his wife to get through each day.
This hasn’t been an overnight occurrence, Ben has been fighting this for over 9 years. Unfortunately it has become bigger than he can deal with on his own, so he is getting the help he deserves. He clearly needs time for treatment and recovery, and that’s why we are asking for your help.
Ben provides the only income source for the family, as Frankie is the full time carer for their youngest, who has autism spectrum disorder and is unable to attend school. She will also be Ben’s carer when he is discharged from hospital.
We don’t know whether Ben can return to work fulltime, but it certainly won’t be anytime soon. We want to ensure Ben and Frankie can focus solely on Ben’s health over the next few months. We hope to raise enough money to cover their rent and incidental expenses whilst Frankie and the boys put their energy into supporting their beloved husband and dad.
“Movember” is the month of awareness for men’s health issues. Whilst those crazy handlebar moustaches are a great prompt for conversations on men’s health, here is a perfect opportunity to make a concrete difference.
On average, 1 in 8 men will have depression and 1 in 5 men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.
While women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their depression or anxiety going unrecognised and untreated. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/men
It’s important to remember that depression and anxiety are conditions, not weaknesses, and effective treatments are available.
Ben has been courageous in his honesty about his current health crisis. He wants everyone to speak openly about mental health and recognise that it can affect anyone.
Bellingen has lost too many people to suicide or untreated mental health issues. Let’s keep looking after each other and make these discussions part of our normal.
Ben is hoping that by being open and honest about his condition, he may inspire others to speak out and seek the help they need, bringing mental health issues out of the darkness.
If you, or someone you know are affected by this page, please seek support.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Organiser
Nicole Stenson
Organiser
Bundagen, NSW