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Tradie's powerful offer to Aussies struggling with mental health

A young gardener has been inundated with messages after offering help to anyone struggling with their mental health in a video circulating on Facebook.

Jack Nile, who started his own business last year, posted the clip on Monday while working near Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast.

“I just wanted to take a couple of minutes to say that if you’re going through a rough patch in your life, especially given the circumstances of people not being able to work and what not, you are not alone – you don’t have to bottle things up inside,” the 23-year-old said.

Jack Nile, from the NSW South Coast, posted a powerful video about mental health on his business's Facebook page.
Jack Nile posted the clip online on Monday while working near Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast. Source: Elite Lawn & Garden Care / Facebook

Mr Nile encouraged anyone who felt like they were struggling and could do with a vent to someone they did not have to see daily to give him a call or send a message.

“There is no judgement at all. Give me a bell and we can catch up for a beer or a coffee,” he said, adding his phone number was public on his business’s Facebook.

The video has since been shared on numerous community pages and viewed more than 5,000 times.

Mr Nile told Yahoo News Australia he always tried to put others first because seeing them happy made his day better.

Pictured is Jack Nile standing in front of hedges.
Mr Nile encouraged anyone who feels like they are struggling to give him a call. Source: Elite Lawn & Garden Care/Facebook

The 23-year-old, who left the Australian Army in March 2019, said his four years in the service had led him to feel strongly about mental health, which he had seen friends struggle with.

“When they got out of the Army they felt like they were alone and their life was going downhill,” he said.

After starting his business in Darwin, Mr Nile moved back home to Huskisson, on the NSW South Coast, and continued Elite Lawn and Garden Care.

He said working outside had helped him with his own mental health because he always had his hands full.

The 23-year-old said he received hundreds of messages from people and would continue to raise awareness about different subjects online so “people can see they’re not alone and are more obliged to speak up”.

Facebook users praised Mr Nile’s gesture, dubbing him “an absolute legend”.

“The world needs more people like you,” one woman said.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

Feeling worried or struggling to cope during the coronavirus pandemic? Visit coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au or speak with trained counsellors on 1800 512 348.

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