Today, microphones across Triple M’s 49 radio stations will switch off for the network’s annual No Talk Day.
This initiative aims to create space for Aussies to check in with themselves and their mates.
According to Lifeline, every day, nine Australians take their own life. On average, seven of those are men.
Now in its sixth year, between 6am and 6pm, Triple M will pause all shows, announcers, and ads, along with all news and traffic reports.
On today’s The Briefing, we talked to Gus Worland, host of Triple M Sydney’s Rush Hour show and founder of Gotcha4Life.
He explained why Triple M continues to emphasise the importance of talking about mental health and what he’s learned from listeners who open up about their struggles.
“For a radio station to pause all programming for a day is significant,” Mr Worland said.
Mr Wordland said Australia still needed to do more to combat the mental health crisis.
We’re still not doing well enough. We’re the number one way to die if you’re a young Australian male is suicide. We still lose seven men a day every day,” he said.
“Two women every day and 65,000 attempts a year. So that’s one every few minutes,” he added.
Mr Worland also explained why he prefers the term “mental fitness” over “mental health”.
“I think mental fitness is a much more positive way of looking at it, giving people exercises to work on their mental fitness just like they go to the gym and work on their physical fitness.”
He also encouraged listeners to contact Lifeline if they need support.
Lifeline 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au/talk
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news and deep dives on topics affecting you, all in under 20 minutes.