Sing for bush tucker

When it comes to eating healthy, did you know bush tucker is a good choice?

Musician, Kerrianne Cox, belts out that message evey time on stage when she sings her song about bush tucker. 

"Bush tucker is so important for you," she told Stayin' Strong.

The Ngombarl woman from the Kimberley region in Western Australia believes a lot of the health problems facing her mob are linked to loss of culture and tradition.

"We need to get back to our Mother because diabetes and all that stuff is the disconnection with our land and all the foods that we used to eat.”

She also believes bush food has more vitality.

"You know when the animal’s happy in the country, he’s getting all the tucker and he’s in a really vibrant environment, then you’re taking in all that!

"You’re not just taking in the meat, you’re taking the spirit, you’re taking the energy," she added.

Listen to Kerrianne's Stayin' Strong message here.

When it comes to quitting cigarettes, everyone's experience is different.

Some can stop cold turkey while others might need what's called nicotine replacement therapy or NRT.

What is NRT?

"Nictoine replacement therapy is a name for a variety of products that you may have heard of like nicotine patches, gum or lozenges," says Rachel Hull from Cancer Council Queensland. Read more about smoking and tobacco here.

"They're designed to give the body a little bit of nicotine to help people get through those really strong cravings for a cigarette when they decide to quit."

Some people avoid NRT because they believe it's expensive.  

But Rachel Hull says people who want to quit can access products at a reduced cost.

"The nicotine patches are available at a cheaper rate by seeing a GP," she explains.

"You get a script (prescription) to go down to the pharmacy and obtain them."

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access some nicotine replacement products at a cheaper rate as well."

There is other medication you can use that doesn't contain nicotine to help you quit.  Medication of this type work on the receptors in your brain to relieve the craving and withdrawl symptons you experience when quitting. 

Where to get help?

Speak to your doctor at your local health service

Call QUITLINE 13 78 48

For former NRL player, Ashley Gordon, the days of tackling opponents on the field are long gone.  Today he spends his time helping problem gamblers tackle their addiction.

As manager of the New South Wales Aboriginal Safe Gambling program, Ashley hopes to reduce the negative impact gambling has on urban, regional and remote Aboriginal communities.

"For each person with a gambling problem, around 10 people including partners, children, family, friends, and co-workers are negatively affected," he says.  

A trained gambling counsellor Ashley says the problem is often linked to alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, financial hardship, crime and mental health issues.  He says people in this position need help.

"Our people need to look after each other."

"If we know someone is struggling financially we need to assist them to leave the game." 

Where to get help

Gambling Help  1800 858 858

The Stayin' Strong project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.  Read more.