CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicide. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
Sunny Coast rockers The Chats have taken to Instagram to speak about mental health following the death of a longtime Chats fan over the weekend.
While The Chats are best known for their larrikin ways and hilarious social media content, the trio took a sombre step back to pay tribute to their late fan on April 27, while urging followers to check in on one another, especially during quarantine.
“In Australia, roughly 10 people a day take their own lives,” The Chats began, adding that the number is “made up of young men, especially within the Indigenous community.”
“[Louie] was a massive music fan and would often travel long distances to see his favourite bands,” The ‘Smoko’ rockers said about the late fan.
“We first met Louie at an underage show in Camden, just south of Sydney, and we were blown away and touched when he told us he’d driven all the way from Melbourne to see us.”
“Depression is no joke,” they said, before urging fans to check on their mates “especially during this time of self-isolation and economic hardship”, adding “we need to be asking all of our friends how they’re doing.”
Love Classic Rock?
Get the latest Classic Rock news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
They concluded: “It’s okay to talk about it, lend your mate an ear, have a chat, you may just save a life.”
The tragic news comes after The Chats announced that they would be forced to reschedule their national album launch tour for High Risk Behaviour, which dropped on March 27, due to COVID-19. The gigs were originally set to kick off in August but will now see the boys delay the shows until Saturday, 28th November in Melbourne before moving on to Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.
All previously purchased tickets are valid for the new dates.
Watch ‘Pub Feed’ by The Chats:
