Two years ago, Joshua Clarke, a 25-year-old Canberran, a construction worker and carpentry apprentice, took his life. His bereaved family, determined to raise awareness of male suicide, particularly among construction workers, a high-risk industry, started a fundraising business, I Got You.

This Sunday, World Suicide Prevention Day, I Got You will hold its first Trek of All Trades, a vehicle convoy and barbecue.

Joshua’s mother, Leesa Mountford, co-founder of I Got You, said the event will be “an opportunity for the community to get together and remember and reflect on the lives that we have lost to suicide … [and] a social day for people to connect and support each other”.

The convoy will begin in Victoria Street, Hall, near the showground, at 10am, and make its way to Casuarina Sands, Cotter Road. There will be a family picnic and barbecue, and games of touch rugby and cricket.

“[Suicide] is a very serious topic, but for such a heavy topic, we can still do things together that don’t make it so heavy,” Ms Mountford said.

“It doesn’t have to necessarily be in a counselling room; it can be just opening up over a sausage sandwich, over a friendly cricket match, over a friendly touch game. It’s about the connection so that people do feel valued. And if they’re not having such a good time, they know that OzHelp is there to support them.”

OzHelp, a Canberra-based suicide prevention organisation for blue-collar workers, will host the barbecue.

“After losing Josh to suicide, OzHelp provided the I Got You village with support and counselling services, and we’re proud to be involved with the legacy that Leesa, [and her daughters] Taylor and Mackenzie have created, as well as their invaluable contribution to OzHelp,” deputy CEO Bruce Papps said.

I Got You has raised more than $70,000 for OzHelp, through selling apparel, community sports, and fundraisers – “An invaluable contribution,” Mr Papps said.

StandBy Support After Suicide, a suicide prevention program, and the Men’s Table, a peer-to-peer mental health community group for men, will have members at the event, too.

“There are places that can help support and listen,” Ms Mountford said. “You don’t necessarily have to go to a GP and get on a waiting list.”

“StandBy is proud to be involved in Trek of All Trades as we are always looking for opportunities to have conversations in the community about providing support to those who have been bereaved or impacted by suicide,” acting program coordinator Amanda Weber said.

“Many people don’t realise that support after suicide loss is available here in our local community. By participating in local events, we can raise awareness so that people know who to contact if they or their loved ones ever need support. We invite people to approach us on the day if they are curious about how we can help.”

Michael Collins, Men’s Table South Coast regional co-host, will bring along Canberra members to share their experience, and invite men to consider joining.

“This [will be a] fun and informal space, with families enjoying themselves, and yet it is explicitly about suicide as well,” Mr Collins said. “So there is permission to talk about how we are really doing, rather than pretending it is good. This is true for tradies where their bodies are their trade … Being mentally fit supports their ability to turn up for their business, their family, and for themselves. They might be willing to lean into a group of other men who can have their back.”

People from all walks of life are welcome. Tradies are encouraged to bring their utes and trucks. Register on Facebook.

“We don’t want it to be a sad day,” Ms Mountford said. “We have enough of those days. We have enough of those moments. We just want to have a day where it’s OK to be vulnerable, it’s OK to feel whatever you’re feeling – anger, whatever. But let’s use the 10th of September to support each other and connect and let people know that I Got You.”

Construction workers at risk

On average, nine Australians die by suicide every day, 75 per cent of whom are men. Construction workers are particularly high risk: according to industry-based suicide prevention charity MATES in Construction, 190 construction workers die by suicide every year, one every two days. They are twice as likely to take their own lives than other young Australian men, and eight times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work. The causes, MATES state, are the highly transient nature of construction work, and difficulty discussing feelings and emotions.

“Well, it is male dominated, and males do find it hard to talk and open up,” Ms Mountford said. “They work crazy hours as well. Taking time out to look after themselves is very unlikely …

“Construction is also very masculine, and speaking about feelings doesn’t come naturally. They’re told: ‘Toughen up, come on, get on with the job’ – and to talk about feelings or things that are going on is unusual.”

Fortunately, Ms Mountford says, “one of the great things about OzHelp is they go into the workplace”.

The foundation was established in 2001 after the suicides of ACT building apprentice David O’Bryan and three others within three months. OzHelp runs programs for tradies, focused on building and construction and on transport and logistics. Last year, it launched the Health in Trades program, which includes onsite health and wellbeing checks, training programs, 24/7 phone support (1300 694 537), and free counselling.

The money I Got You raised went directly to the OzHelp Foundation’s programs to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing, improve mental and physical health literacy, and provide referrals and follow-up support, Mr Papps said. Most of the funding goes towards the Life Skills Toolbox, a health and wellbeing program supporting apprentices in high-risk, hard-to-reach industries. It helps participants identify resources, build the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges, and address psychosocial risk factors for suicide.

Ms Mountford said the fundraiser was going to be a one-off; but the third will be held in April next year, which aligns with Joshua’s anniversary.

“It’s an opportunity for the family and Josh’s friends to remember the great things that Josh did, and the wonderful human that he was, but also to raise funds for OzHelp or any other community or charity that could benefit from funds for prevention of suicide or postvention of suicide.”

Earlier this year, I Got You was one of two ACT winners in Suicide Prevention Australia’s LIFE Awards.

“Suicide is part of our life every minute of every day,” Ms Mountford said, “and if we can do our little bit to avoid a family going through the trauma that we experienced, then that’s what we’ll do … If we can do just a little bit, or a lot, that helps us get out of bed every day.”

Advice

“You’re not alone,” Ms Mountford said. “Reach out … If somebody’s reaching in as well, open up, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable … It’s OK if you’re not having a good day to open up to a friend.”

Taylor Brown, Joshua’s sister, said people should not take what they are told lightly.

“If someone is opening up to you, [don’t go] ‘Oh, it’ll be all right, or let it go’. If someone genuinely is OK to open up to you about it, assist them, be there for them, and help them understand what they are feeling. … Go into it more with them if you do have the time – and if you don’t have that time, help them find someone that can be there for them,” Ms Brown said.

Ms Mountford recommended taking a mental health or suicide first aid course to learn the skills to help other people.

“Those courses aren’t easy – Taylor and I have done two – but I guess you could say they are lifesaving. Taking two days out of your busy schedule, you can actually save a life.”

Building and construction workers and their families are encouraged to reach out to OzHelp’s Health in Trades for 24/7 phone support (1300 694 357) and free counselling. OzHelp also have a similar service for those in transport and logistics under their Health in Gear program, 1800 464 327.

“When times are tough, there is help,” Mr Papps said. “You don’t have to face life alone.”

StandBy Support After Suicide is a free and confidential postvention support service available Australia-wide to anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide, including family, friends, first responders, witnesses or service providers. StandBy is accessible seven days a week, providing free face-to face and/or telephone support at a time and place that is best for each individual. Call 1300 727 247 or email [email protected]. For more information and resources, visit: standbysupport.com.au.

“Don’t be afraid to speak about suicide,” Amanda Weber said. “It can be a very difficult topic for many people but by speaking openly about suicide, we can help to minimise the stigma that is unfortunately still being faced by those impacted by the suicide death of a loved one.”

The Men’s Table was set up to help improve men’s mental, emotional, and social wellbeing, for men to connect, build relationships, and talk about the highs and lows of their lives.

“Men’s Table has heard from men that ‘they did not know it was possible to have real conversations until they sat at a Men’s Table’, where no fixing or solving other men is one of our key principles,” Michael Collins said. “We find that once confidence and trust builds in a Table of men, men often find their relationships beyond the Table improve as well.  We call this the Ripple Effect …

“Nobody was supposed to navigate life’s ups and downs on their own. The superficial stuff blokes often talk about means when it gets tough, they may not have someone who is willing to just listen.

“Don’t expect everyone around you to magically change. If you ever wonder what it is like to speak your own truth, not be alone in how you feel, maybe find a space where that is welcome, encouraged, and valued. This is courageous work that we do for ourselves, and we can do it with other men rather than on our own,” Mr Collins said.

“Often men lean too heavily on partners, and that can make for additional stress – especially if you are working together in a business as well.  Find somewhere that is not the kitchen table to lighten the load. Maybe consider a Men’s Table – not a support group, but supportive; not therapy, but therapeutic.”

There are eight Men’s Tables in Canberra; another eight are planned in the coming year.

Standby Support After Suicide is a free and confidential postvention support service dedicated to supporting people and communities across Australia bereaved or impacted by suicide. It supports anyone impacted by suicide including individuals, families, friends, witnesses, first responders, service providers, schools, workplaces and community groups. StandBy is accessible seven days a week, providing free face-to face and/or telephone support at a time and place that is best for each individual.

To access support, call 1300 727 247 or email [email protected]. For more information and free resources, visit: standbysupport.com.au.

To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.