Two USC Nutrition and Dietetics students will run a free public workshop on Monday 12 June to help Sunshine Coast men learn more about the links between diet and mental health.

Fourth-year students Ricki-Lee Driver and Courtney Lynch have organised the ‘Nutrition for Men’ workshop, to be held at Lake Kawana Community Centre during Men’s Health Week.

The pair developed the event as part of a six-week Work Integrated Learning placement on a joint USC-Sunshine Coast Council project.

Ricki-Lee said many men were unaware that making small changes to their diet could boost not only physical health, but also their mental and emotional state.

“If a person isn’t getting the right nutrients in their diet, they’re more susceptible to conditions like depression and anxiety,” she said. “This workshop will teach the public about the different components of food and how each component links back to the brain.

“Research has shown that men tend to have poorer diets than women, and are less likely to talk about their mental wellbeing, so it’s particularly important to reach them.

“We’ll be giving practical tips on how to optimise their diet, including a cooking demonstration and hands-on activities.”

The workshop will run from 10am to 11.30am and will be followed by a free morning tea.

Courtney said it was satisfying to use the skills from her Nutrition and Dietetics studies to help improve public health in a practical way.

“We’ve found it to be a really good opportunity to learn more about engaging with the community on health issues,” she said.

“It’s rewarding to know that what we’re doing as students on placement can benefit the community as well.”

Registration and details about the free workshop can be found at http://bit.ly/2sfoWWX.

— Gen Kennedy