Community & Business
15 July, 2021
Pilates puts men’s mental health in focus
AFTER losing her father to suicide in 2017, a Mareeba local is on a mission to break the stigma and open up the conversation around men’s mental health using what she loves, Pilates.
AFTER losing her father to suicide in 2017, a Mareeba local is on a mission to break the stigma and open up the conversation around men’s mental health using what she loves, Pilates.
Katrina Kazim has set herself a goal of 100 men completing a Pilates class in the month of July – all for men’s mental health, an issue that she holds incredibly close to her heart.
Combining her business and a passion to support men’s mental health, Katrina hopes that by men completing a pilates class it will prove that both feelings and Pilates is not just for women.
“Fitness is great for health across the board, Pilates is good because it’s a group environment, it’s inclusive, anyone can do it and it’s good from the mental health side,” Katrina said.
“My dad was very much concerned about the stigma around him having depression and didn’t want anyone to know, it was a sensitive subject.
“If I can get 100 guys in July to do a Pilates class with me, your breaking down two stigmas – one that Pilates is for just for women and two to bring more light on men’s mental health.”
Proceeds from the $15 class fee will be donated directly to one of the leaders in men’s mental health, such as the Black Dog Institute or Headspace.
Already just over 30 men have taken up the July challenge. Three men completed one in the first week and last Thursday, the Mareeba Gladiators showed their support by inviting Katrina to their training session to complete a pilates class with 25 burly footballers all getting down for some intense core work.
“I’ve been through it and a lot of the boys have been through it, it’s a big thing for men’s mental health which is close to our hearts, we’ve all lost mates to suicide,” Gladiators A grade captain/coach Trent Barnard said.
“Everyone is brought up different and everyone has different stuff going on in their personal lives.
“It’s really good for blokes to be able to speak up otherwise they end up doing something stupid, hurting themselves and their families.”
The Mareeba Gladiators did not just foot the cost for the class, but have also decided to donate a lump sum of $500 to Katrina to go towards the men’s mental health organisation of her choice.
To get involved in Katrina’s push for men’s mental health awareness, book in your session using the Fitii App and search for Katrina Kazim as a trainer.
