Joel Thompson, who spent his younger years living in Wagga, Gundagai and remote Ivanhoe, will be in the region this November to host a series of mental health and suicide prevention forums.

"I grew up in the bush ... Males never really spoke about going to see a counsellor or getting professional help," he said.

The Manly star, who played his final NRL game just this Sunday, said his path towards mental health advocacy started back in 2011.

The young footballer found himself struggling and sought professional help after encouragement from his partner and the Canberra Raiders, who he was playing for at the time.

Looking back, he says he doesn't know where he would have ended up had he not got professional help.

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"Obviously I had never done that before and it really helped me," he said.

"The lady that I spoke to gave me some tools and different strategies I could put in place, but part of that was giving back and helping others."

Mr Thompson started volunteering at a juvenile justice centre and has since donated his time to a number of different groups, which he said was part of his own healing process.

Along the way he founded the Mindset Project, a workshop program that aims to start conversations around mental health and suicide prevention, which he will bring to four locations in the Riverina this November.

He said it was rewarding knowing that he had played a part in helping others.

"People still pull me up in the street, people constantly get in contact via social media," he said.

"With football I've been given a great platform. It's important to go out there and help others now.

"It's important to speak up ... So we can start saving lives."

The free workshops will be held in November across western NSW at the following locations:

Mr Thompson said details of the exact venues for the locations were forthcoming, but anyone interested in finding out more information should visit themindsetproject.com.au

If you are struggling with mental illness, you can contact Lifeline: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au; Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 beyondblue.org.au or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 kidshelpline.com.au.