Content warning: This story deals with the subject of suicide, and many be triggering for some readers.
This Monday July 1, no one will be talking on Triple M. Regular programming will be taken off air from 6am to 6pm.
In Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, the station is set to adopt a powerful stance on the suicide epidemic in Australia in support of Beyond Blue.
This year in our country, 65,000 people will attempt suicide. Eight will die every day. Six of them will be men.
Watch: Gus Worland’s powerful 2016 ‘Man Up’ campaign. Post continues after video.
In fact suicide is the number one cause of death for Australian men aged 18-44, according to Beyond Blue.
So instead of talking on the radio, Triple M is asking us to do the talking and initiate conversations about mental health with those around us – from our family and friends to our colleagues.
“As a network that talks to a lot of Aussie men we feel as though it’s our responsibility to continue to encourage these men to be more aware of not only their own feelings but that of those around them,” the Head of Triple M, Mike Fitzpatrick, said. “To reach out if they need someone to talk to or offer an ear to their mates.”
“We know it’s sometimes hard to talk about your feelings, but it might be the most important conversation you ever have.
“We are lucky to be able to partner with an organisation like Beyond Blue to help empower our community and continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.”
Listeners have commended the radio station on Twitter for their move, with one user writing: “This is ever so real for me. So many times I could have become just another statistic but I always wanted to fight on. It can be a very long and lonely road. Thank you for doing this. Thank you for encouraging people to talk. Thank you for opening the door to saving lives.”
“What an absolutely brilliant idea!” another supporter added. “Kudos to Triple M (and the person who came up with the idea). It’s an issue that affects so many of us in so many different ways. If it saves 1 life, it has worked magnificently. Way to go getting the conversation started!”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek professional help and contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000 immediately.
Top Comments
Silence is the problem, not the solution. It's great that Triple M are recognising the issue of men's suicide and mental health but they could do more by actually talking about it on air.
It's definitely a stunt, but I get what they are doing.
For the sake of 12 hours of radio time I guess it's worth a try.
In between songs they had announcers talking about the suicide stats, the phone number for Beyond Blue etc. It wasn't complete silence.
Oh yeah, I definitely get what they were trying to do. Reading how Triple M were billing it though, I just wasn't sure it was the best way to go about it. I'm glad to read Keyla's comment that it wasn't complete silence and that there was some useful information provided as well.
Staying silent is the OPPOSITE of what needs to happen. Australian families need more information about mental health and suicide. Men need to know that it's ok to ask for help. Families need to stop telling men and boys to 'toughen up' or all the other derogatory terms. Men and their families need to know where to go for help - their GP, psychologist, hospital, call a crisis line. Families supporting those with mental health issues need to be better supported too. I commend the effort in recognising the problem but silence is what we don't need. Dedicate a day to giving people the right information to help them. Rally the government for more funding for mental health and units and medical staff.
For someone to have the opportunity to speak (and be heard) one side of the conversation has to be quiet.
The people on the radio are being quiet so that others can get to speak.
Is it a stunt? Of course.
Will it work? Fingers crossed.
Agree there needs to be plenty of talk about it as well.