Ben Gathercole, Ben Alexander, and Matt Breen: Part 1

What happens when we stop treating mental health as a side conversation — and start seeing it as a community responsibility?In this episode, Matt Breen revisits the origins of Running for Resilience — born from the loss of his dad — and the gap it left in male role models and connection. From there, he’s joined by Menslink’s Ben Gathercole to explore how community, mentoring, and education can rewrite the story for young men across Canberra.The conversation weaves through powerful real-life stories — from Leesa Mountford’s “I Got You” initiative to Pip Seldon’s “Healthy Tradie Project” — before turning to some confronting truths:Tradies are six times more likely to die by suicide than in a workplace accident.This is the beginning of a two-part series. Part 1 unpacks the culture, silence, and systems shaping young men’s mental health. Part 2 continues the conversation, diving deeper into how we can start changing the story — beginning with tradies and apprentices.🎧 Listen now to understand why “Silence is Deadly”… and how connection can save lives.The origins of Running for Resilience and its link to a suicide-free CanberraMenslink’s role in building stronger culture through schools and workplacesWhy tradies and apprentices are at higher risk — and how local groups are respondingHow silence, stigma, and stoicism shape male mental healthWhat we can all do to make help-seeking feel normalI Got You – Leesa Mountford’s story (Canberra Daily):https://canberradaily.com.au/canberra-mum-awarded-for-i-got-you-suicide-prevention-campaign/Healthy Tradie Project – Pip Seldon TED Talk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXjqNf8dQITradie Mental Health Statistics – Blokes Psychology:https://www.blokespsychology.com.au/resources/mental-health-tradies#:~:text=Construction%20workers%20are%20at%20least,suicide%20than%20on%20workplace%20accidents.&text=190%20construction%20workers%20die%20by%20suicide%20each%20year%20in%20Australia.ABC – Supporting Loved Ones in Construction:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/supporting-loved-ones-who-work-in-construction/105724124PubMed – Apprentice Suicide Risk Study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34710501/Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.auIf this episode resonates with you, share it, leave a review, and help us spread the message:Just Keep Moving — Forward, Together.