For the fourth consecutive year Triple M will stop talking to encourage Aussie men to start talking about their mental health. The network’s national No Talk Day returns on Monday July 4 to raise awareness around men’s mental health and suicide and encourage courageous conversations on Triple M’s 45 stations across the country with support from mental health charity partner Beyond Blue.
From 6:00am - 6:00pm on July 4, Triple M is encouraging listeners to take a brave step to start a potentially lifesaving conversation around mental health if they are struggling or suspect someone they love or work with is.
Triple M will remove all regular programming – shows, news, traffic updates and ads across the day, replacing it with music and candid conversations from Triple M on air talent and some of the biggest names in rock, sport, and comedy about their challenges with mental health and the resources they have used to recognise the signs and work on overcoming feeling helpless and stuck.
Triple M’s No Talk Day will share frank, lived experience mental health stories from Triple M talent including Marty Sheargold, Mark Geyer, Jess Eva, Wendell Sailor, Jude Bolton and Gus Worland, along with rockstars Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Barnes, Rob Thomas, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park) and Mark Gable (Choirboys).
In the lead-up to Monday, July 4 for the very first time, Triple M will host a long-form mental health discussion. The roundtable, “Triple M’s Courageous Talk”, will be moderated by Triple M No Talk Day Co-founder Shaun Gough. Special guests, Wayne Schwass, former North Melbourne AFL footballer, commentator and mental health activist, Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue, Matt O’Gorman, drummer for Aussie rock band British India and host of Triple M Aussie, and Tour/Production Manager and CrewCare board member Christian McBride.
Together, the panel will participate in a frank discussion about their own experiences with mental health, sharing advice on how to best start the conversation and take the courageous first step in getting help.
Triple M’s Courageous Talk will be available in the lead up to Triple M’s No Talk Day as a tool to support anyone managing mental health. The full-length video will appear across Triple M’s YouTube channel and feature as a podcast on the LiSTNR app. You can watch it HERE
Triple M No Talk Day Co-Founder, Shaun Gough, said: “It takes courage to talk about mental health. We will be encouraging our amazing Triple M listeners to reach out and check in on one another. I’m grateful to Triple M’s on-air talent for bravely sharing their mental health stories and how they sought support when they or someone they knew was struggling with their mental health. Our listeners will also take part in of the conversation, bravely sharing their own mental health experiences and challenges on-air.”
Triple M Digital Content Direct, Matt Bellotti, said: Our aim for ‘Triple M’s Courageous Talk’ is to show various men talking about their mental health and sharing some advice for other men doing it tough. The final panel chat is all that and so much more. Wayne, Matt, Christian, Grant and Goughy hold a powerful, entertaining, intimate, but most of all important, conversation for everybody who has ever struggled with their mental health or know someone who has.”
Beyond Blue Lead Clinical Adviser, Dr Grant Blashki, said: “The message is it that yes initially it does take a bit of courage, and a bit of guts. But if you’re going through it or one of your friends is going through it, there is always help available. Australia has great support, great mental health professionals and services out there. Beyond Blue’s Support Service is available 24/7 online or over the phone 1300 22 46 36.”
Beyond Blue reports that about 65,000 people attempt suicide in Australia each year. Nine die every day from suicide and seven of those deaths are men. Men are statistically less likely to seek help for a number of reasons including stoic beliefs and values, self-stigma, or a sense that “I should be able to deal with this myself”. Research shows that 8 out of 10 people who were suicidal found the support of a mate helpful.
Triple M’s No Talk Day can be heard on Triple M’s 45 FM stations around the country on Monday 4 July or via the LiSTNR app.
To get advice on how to start a conversation with someone you’re worried about or for more information on depression and anxiety, please visit: www.beyondblue.org.au
About Triple M:
After 40 years, Triple M continues to be one of Australia’s best-known radio entertainment brands and the only radio network that provides its listeners with a unique combination of Rock’s Greatest Hits, Sport and Comedy. With 49 stations across Australia, including five digital stations, Triple M 80s, Triple M Classic Rock, Triple M Country, Triple M Hard N Heavy and Triple M 90s, Triple M has become known for playing Rock’s Greatest Hits, and its iconic talent and shows that get people talking.
The iconic brand entertains more than 3.7 million radio and on demand listeners each week and is home to some of Australia’s biggest sporting heroes, comedians and music gurus including Marty Sheargold, Mark Geyer, Basil Zempilas, Gus Worland, Jess Eva, Margaux Parker, Wendell Sailor, Ryan Girdler, James Brayshaw, Billy Brownless, Gorden Tallis, Greg Martin, Mark Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar, Liesel Jones, and Andrew Jarman to name just a few! And now, all Triple M’s content is available live or on demand on the new LiSTNR app.