For the third consecutive year Triple M’s No Talk Day will return on Thursday July 1 to raise awareness around men’s mental health and encourage courageous conversations on Triple M’s 45 stations across the country with support from partner Beyond Blue.
From 6:00am – 6:00pm on July 1, Triple M is encouraging listeners to clear their throats and take a step to start a conversation around mental health if they are struggling, or think someone they love or work with is, and potentially save lives.
Triple M will remove all regular programming, news, traffic updates and ads across the day and program candid conversations with on air talent and some of the biggest names in rock, sport and comedy about their own challenges with mental health and what resources they have utilised to recognise the signs and work on managing and overcoming feeling helpless and stuck.
The last 12 months have been extraordinarily challenging with COVID-19 affecting people’s livelihoods and way of living, with lockdowns and border closures shutting down industries and preventing Australians from seeing their loved ones. These challenges have been exacerbated with floods, fires and even mouse plagues destroying homes, businesses and livelihoods in regional Australia. Many Australians are finding their mental health is suffering for the first time in their lives under relentless pressures.
But for many people sharing what they believe is a burden and talking about what is overwhelming them is not easy. Triple M’s No Talk Day provides a platform and resource to navigate challenging moments with the aim of reducing Australia’s national male suicide toll.
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.
Head of the Triple M Network, Mike Fitzpatrick, said: “Triple M’s No Talk Day is returning for a third year, and it has grown into the most significant day of the year for us. It has become a day that has unified our on and off airs teams alongside our listeners to have really important, lifesaving conversations.
“Having a platform like Triple M to encourage Aussie men and women to take care of their mental health and to support courageous conversations if they are struggling, or to give those who know someone who is, the tools to navigate their way through is a privilege we take seriously. We urge everyone to clear their throats on Thursday 1 July and start talking, even if it is alongside an otherwise ordinary activity of kicking the footy, fishing or going for a walk. Just start talking.”
Triple M’s No Talk Day, from 6:00am – 6:00pm Thursday July 1, will include conversations with on air talent including Mick Molloy, Marty Sheargold, Lawrence Mooney, Mark Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar, Andrew Jarman, Bernie Vince, Greg Blewett, Basil Zempilas, Xavier Ellis, Jenna Clarke, Greg Martin, Margaux Parker, Ben Dobbin, Sean ‘Flan’ Flanagan, Bridget Brousard and Peter ‘Spida’ Everett alongside some of the biggest names in rock including Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Jimmy Barnes, Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil), Mark Gable (Choirboys and Beyond Blue Ambassador), Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless).
Triple M’s No Talk Day can be heard on your local Triple M FM station 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
Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14