Walking With Purpose: Blokes Psychology Supports Suicide Prevention in Mornington

On Sunday, 14 September 2025, members of the Blokes Psychology team proudly participated in the World Suicide Prevention Day Walk in Mornington, a powerful and moving event that brought together over 500 people in solidarity, remembrance, and hope.

Held at Mornington Park and coordinated by Chasing Change in partnership with the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the event provided a safe space to honour those lost to suicide, stand with those who are grieving, and raise awareness for suicide prevention in our local communities.

For the Blokes team, it was both personal and professional; a meaningful opportunity to walk in support of mental health and show up for those who feel like they’re walking alone.

Supporting Our Charity Partner: It’s Okay Not To Be Okay

We were proud to walk alongside our incredible charity partner, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay, whose presence was once again a beacon of support, compassion, and strength on the day.

Their work in the community continues to inspire and empower those struggling with mental health, and we’re honoured to be aligned with their mission. The event also brought together other frontline organisations such as:

Together, these organisations created a supportive and compassionate environment where people could share stories, grieve openly, and feel less alone in their struggles.

Remembering and Reflecting

From the Memorial Roll Call, where the names of loved ones were read aloud, to the touching face-painting tributes and community messages of support, the event was filled with moments of reflection and connection.

We extend heartfelt thanks to:

Kat’s Face Paint, who donated her time and talent to create beautiful, meaningful tributes
Impact Realty Group, who helped promote the event through signage sponsorship
The volunteers and participants, including Julia, Michael, Nick, Tully the therapy dog, and so many others who made the day possible

Events like these remind us that every act of support, no matter how small, can have a ripple effect and make a difference.

The State of Men’s Mental Health in Australia

While the event served as a day of hope and healing, it also highlighted a deeper crisis: men’s mental health in Australia remains in a state of emergency.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men account for three out of every four suicides in Australia. That’s an average of six men dying by suicide every day, a heartbreaking reality that demands urgent attention.

Despite these numbers, men are significantly less likely to seek help for mental health challenges. Whether due to stigma, fear of judgment, cultural expectations, or limited emotional literacy, too many men suffer in silence until it becomes too late.

This is not just a personal issue; it’s societal. Untreated mental health challenges don’t just impact individuals. They affect families, friendships, workplaces, and entire communities.

Why So Many Men Struggle

Men are often taught, explicitly or implicitly, to suppress emotion, "tough it out," and carry on without complaint. This conditioning creates internalised shame around vulnerability and discourages open conversations about mental health.

As a result, men may:

Struggle to express or even identify their emotions
Rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol, withdrawal, or aggression
Feel isolated even while surrounded by people
Delay or avoid seeking help until things reach a crisis point

The tragedy is that so many of these stories could have had different endings if the right support had been accessed early.

Breaking the Stigma Starts With Showing Up

At Blokes Psychology, we believe mental health support should be:

Accessible: Free from clinical jargon and rigid structures
Relatable: Built on real talk, real understanding, and real trust
Non-judgemental: A space where men can be open, raw, and honest without fear
Proactive: Encouraging early intervention rather than waiting for a crisis

That’s why events like the Mornington Walk for Suicide Prevention matter so much. They help break down stigma, encourage open dialogue, and remind our community that help is available.

We’re not just about therapy sessions. We’re about advocacy, prevention, education, and real-world presence. Because the more we normalise these conversations, the more lives we can save.

Moving Forward: Connection, Hope, and Ongoing Action

We walked on Sunday not just to remember, but to commit, to do more, listen more, and show up more often. As a practice, we’re already seeing change:

More men are reaching out earlier
More partners are encouraging the blokes in their lives to seek help
More workplaces are engaging in proactive mental health support
More men are choosing to talk instead of bottling things up

And while there’s a long way to go, events like this one give us hope.

They remind us of the power of connection.

That healing happens not just in therapy rooms, but in shared footsteps, shared tears, and shared stories.

What You Can Do Next

If you’re reading this and struggling, please know you are not alone.

Reach out. To a mate. To a therapist. To someone who will listen.

Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if it is an emergency, or if you would like to discuss anything in your life, from anger therapy and managing PTSD, to anxiety, depression and relationship counselling, please feel welcome to book a session with our counsellors today.

‍In Closing: Together, We Remember. Together, We Prevent.

To everyone who walked, volunteered, supported, or simply showed up, thank you. Your presence was powerful.

We carry the stories, the grief, and the hope with us. And we promise to keep walking, not just once a year, but every day, alongside every man who needs support.

Because mental health matters. And it's always okay not to be okay.

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References

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Walking Together for Suicide Prevention