Hello men,
We invite you to attend our next meeting on Wednesday, 25 October at 6:00pm - 7:30pm eastern daylight savings time (AEDT).
This month we'd like to introduce you to our guest speaker, Mitch McPherson.
As the founder of Tasmanian-based organisation SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, Mitch’s journey to raise awareness of suicide prevention and reduce the stigma around mental health began after his younger brother Ty took his own life in 2013.
Mitch, the 2017 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year and National R U OK? Day Ambassador has had a remarkable journey transitioning from an everyday tradie into a well-respected and purpose-driven public speaker.
Mitch leads with an extraordinary vision for change, courageously harnessing his lived experience of loss to encourage our community to speak up about their mental health and take action. All through the important message of sparking conversations. Since the loss of his younger brother Ty in 2013, Mitch has dedicated his life to helping, educating and encouraging others to speak up about mental health and prevent suicide. All of this important work is well aligned to Mitch’s own personal values: compassion, authenticity, kindness and perseverance.
Mitch has become a “go to” in the Tasmanian community for important discussions and messaging around mental health – As well as assisting those seeking guidance on start-up charities, funding advice or looking to build strong Tasmanian connections.
A devoted family man, father and husband, Mitch is just like a mate – he’s a passionate Carlton supporter, lover of sport and avid coffee drinker. He is someone you can relate to. He is real.
The National Men’s Lived Experience of Suicide Network builds on work from the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Summit of 2021. The Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) was invited to co-chair a session with Roses in the Ocean specifically focusing on male suicide. At that LE Summit, the Network was established as one small way in which we can do our bit to address the concerning fact that 75% of suicides in Australia are by males.
The National Men’s Lived Experience of Suicide Network (NMLESN) is primarily an online forum, meeting monthly. We may occasionally meet at conferences or other events where there is likely to be representation. The Network will provide connection, learning, and opportunities to contribute to suicide prevention policy and program development.
Here from last month's National Men's Lived Experience of Suicide Network guest speaker Ben Hughes, co-founder of The Men's Table.
