The mistaken belief that men don’t show emotion, seek help or speak out has become a dangerous acceptance, that abandons much needed investment in men centric services that can lead to reduction and minimise the risk of male suicide. I spoke with Adam Garone, founder of global men’s health charity, Movember. He spoke for the first time about his own experience of situational crisis and his rocky road to finding help that saved his life. An unexpectedly emotional and raw moment, many were bought to tears, hearing Adams message of courage and gratitude - Listen in from 26.20 min. Before that, we heard from controversial Australia Day awards recipient, Bettina Arndt who talks more broadly about her work in achieving gender equity through advocacy for men, including the lack of attention given to men surviving prostate cancer. Listen in at my YouTube channel along with many others like it. What does it feel like, being you today? #situationalcrisis #menshealth #malesuicide #prostatecancer #suicideprevention

The magic of musical theatre combines singing, acting and dancing to project emotion to communicate joy and inspiration to an audience. Many of us think of cast members - dancing in a colourful spectacle, often forgetting other contributors like, roadies, costume designers, composers and stagehands, to name only a few. Back in 2015, industry health promotion charity Entertainment Assist released startling facts from a research project, conducted in association with Victoria University, Melbourne Australia, "Working in the Australian Entertainment Industry". Based on the general population, some of the stats highlighted: *suicide attempts for industry workers are more than double; *levels of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms are 10 times higher; and *levels of depression symptoms are five times higher. Conversely, a major theme emerged that workers expressed an overwhelming passion for their industry - a powerful and positive attitude to challenge some of the negative culture. I had the pleasure of hosting two singing, dancing and acting super stars from very different generations: 11 year old Flynn Turner, had recently played the lead role of Aladdin in his school production; and Will Centurion, an accomplished veteran of musical theatre also performed in Walt Disney’s Aladdin – years later, reinventing himself as a qualified counsellor for young entertainers. Hear Flynn and Will compare their thoughts and experiences around how we can influence generational and systemic change for this wonderfully, entertaining industry.

A range of Australian research identified that over half of all male suicides are not predominantly associated with a mental health diagnosis. Based on coronial reports, male suicides in Australia are: • twice as likely to be linked to bereavement • 3.5 times more likely to be linked to relationship issues • 4 times more likely to be linked to child custody issues • 5 times more likely to be linked to pending or recent unemployment • nearly 9 times more likely to be linked to legal issues • 12 times more likely to be linked to money issues. Relationship coach and men's mentor, Michael Lauria , experienced most of these risk factors, all at once, when, back in 2009, his family unit dismantled. Turning his pain and grief into a journey of self-actualisation and ownership, he set a lifesaving purpose for himself and many other men, penning the Amazon #1 best seller Forging Excalibur - Rediscover your Masculinity. He joined me back on Sunday 7 December, at 94.1FM 3WBC to talk about what it feels like being Michael Lauria and more about his trademark “7 Standards of Men”. Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!!

Quality apprenticeships can provide great purpose for many young people making the transition from school to work, which, may positively impact mental health and sense of worth. Best practice training and mentoring can also boost apprenticeship completion rates which are as low as 53 per cent in Australia.

Holmesglen Apprentice Support Centre, established in 2016 has grown to become Apprentice Central, a collection of Apprentice Support/Engagement Officers and administration staff who go on-site and in classrooms to talk with employers and apprentices about mental health, mentoring, financial and learning support. This team have quickly established as a “tool of trade, and received Gold at the 2018 World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence ceremony.

Industry veteran and key collaborator at Apprentice Central, Chris Burkitt, is joined me to share more about this life saving initiative and a whole lot more about what it feels like being Chris Burkitt. Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!!

Australia’s first ever, funded, National Men’s Health Strategy was recently launched - allocating more that $19 million over the next decade to improve the health and well being of every Australian man and boy. Thinking about how this strategy and funding can best serve our boys and men, international photographer, Leisa Hartnett and her high performance leadership husband, Rob Hartnett sacrificed their special mother’s day morning to come and talk about what it’s felt like, raising three stellar men. Dispelling the stereotypical myth of snips, snails & puppy dog tails – we discussed why sugar and spice are also lovely masculine attributes. Big kids themselves, Rob and Leisa also sharede what it’s felt like being partners, parents, son & daughter. T #menshealth #boyshealth #malesuicide #mothersday #suicideprevention #mentalhealth

Recognising that approximately 20% of Australia’s population is made up of dads, I got together with Jeremy Macvean (Movember) back on 14 April, and we talked about his latest global initiative, The Father Hood. Along with co-conspirators, Luke Benedictus and Andrew McCutcheon, they stepped up and created something, very different and super engaging, to better support this huge community of guys and their families.

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The Father Hood, is a new media platform and community, designed to help dads survive and thrive. It’s a lifestyle resource that delivers support, inspiration and daily laughs to dads, through content and events. The brand encourages fathers to navigate with less stress and more confidence, using language and approach to help dismantle the negative stereotype of ‘dad’.

Redefining the modern experience, where men are raising kids in all kinds of environments.

Jeremy and his team believe that becoming a father is the greatest opportunity a man can get - they also get that fatherhood changes you. fatherhood changes everything. I loved hearing what it feels like, being Jeremy and all about The Father Hood,