Way back, on 24 July 24 2015, I was pretty jazzed to share a stage with David Burroughs, world-renowned psychologist and strategist at the Sydney Safety Symposium, talking about creating environments that support good mental health. Mind blown by his presentation – as he was with mine :-), we’ve come a long way in our friendship and collaboration. To this day, Dave continues to hold his own, making massive waves in workplace mental health and, like me, embraces the extension of men’s health. Most recently, Dave co-founded Mantle, a men’s health service that provides specialist, confidential, virtual mental health support, addressing the stigma surrounding barriers men experience in seeking and engaging with support. This ties into what International best practice tells us, that one of the key ways to improve men's access to healthcare is by developing male-friendly services, which was acknowledged in Australia’s first National Male Health Strategy https://lnkd.in/dq5gzNi

Back in the studios at 94.1FM 3WBC in November I prepared a “cook up” of great minds and mentors, for a flavour packed panel, who delivered a rich and nourishing radio recipe. First on the pass, was none other than chef, founder and writer, Matt Wilkinson, who has recently taken up residency at the Mornington Peninsula winery restaurant Montalto. In his spare time, Matt is the creative director at Four Pillars Gin. He was followed closely by writer, eater, traveler and cook, Dani Valent who is also well known for spectacular journalism at The Age Epicure, Good Food. We topped the show off with Robbie Bell, founder of City Larder Charcuterie. He also runs his own podcast called 'Cooking the Books' where he interviews prominent chefs and food industry professionals. I asked my trademark question “what does it feel like, being you, today?” not to mention, drew upon their ideas, insights and contribution to good mental health in the hospitality industry.

Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! #hospitalityindustry #workplacementalhealth #chef #cooking #suicideprevention #menshealthawareness

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!!