Moo's Movember Musings #2 - Suicide & Mental Health
It's time to take a break from our regular programming and read this correspondence from one of the key players at Virtus, Jarryd Palser (aka Moo)
Moo?s Movember Musing 2.0
In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death for males (at a rate of 19.8 deaths per 100,000 males).
If you are reading this, you are probably well aware of my depression diagnosis and the challenges that it presents consistently. However, this piece is not about me.
I apologise for hitting you straight between the eyes, but I feel we need to take a spotlight to this.
Generally, I love graphs, but this one has been haunting me since I first saw it in early November.
There are no two ways about it, 2020 has been a clusterfuck! Since 2006, this graph has been on an upward trend, add a global pandemic to society, and it doesn't take much imagination to predict the 2020 data point for this graph.
19.8 Suicides per 100,000 males was already too high, we as a community need to move the needle to ensure these numbers decrease.
As males, we are conditioned not to show emotion. We are programmed to believe that individuals showing vulnerability and insecurities are weak.
Here lies the root of the problem.
Collectively we need to be better, not only for the sake of our generation but for the sake of our future generations.
For any movement to gain momentum, it must start with a small action.
So be brave and tell one of your male friends that you love them.
Be proud that you can identify and articulate with your friends that you need to invest some time in managing your wellbeing.
I understand that it will be uncomfortable, I know that it won't feel right.
I'll pose a question, what is the alternative?
Personally, deep down (and I know many others) will not want to hear the answer to that question.
I am going to finish with a direct quote from Wayne Schwass' address to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System during 2019.
"My vision for society is that we live in a world where there is no stigma and discrimination. I want to encourage audiences and communities, men and women, to question the narrative. What does it mean to be a man? How is the current definition of masculinity serving us? I want language, perceptions and attitudes to fundamentally shift so that we, as a society, wrap our collective arms around people living with mental health conditions, and we start talking about it."
If this email has resonated with you in any way. Can I ask you to do one of two things;
Support My Movember Campaign by donating via t the following link: (Movember - Moo Palser)
. Any donation amount will be championing men's health.
Show some appreciation for the wonderful Men in your life.
Give them a call, embrace them with a hug and most importantly have an authentic and meaningful conversation with them.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing distress, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
Enjoy the rest of your Friday, the sunshine and the upcoming weekend.
As you were.
Jarryd (Moo) Palser
2 x Virtus Human Performance "Best On" Award Recipient
Kooweerup's Resident Hipster (Monday to Friday only, Saturdays by appointment only.)
Record Holder: Most cumulative hours of Lifestyle Food Network watched.
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