It’s the defining Australian hairstyle: hot, sexy, never out of fashion. If its enduring popularity and head-turning good looks aren’t enough to tempt you to join the masses and embrace the mighty mullet, the Black Dog Institute’s Mullets for Mental Health campaign should be all the encouragement you need.
The institute is calling on all Aussies to go “business at the front, party at the back” next month to show their support for the one in five of us who experience mental illness each year. Mullets for Mental Health is a national virtual challenge where the fashionable among us shape and grow their mullets to help raise money for the institute’s crucial mental health research and support services.
“In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44,” said institute researcher Dr Sandersan Onie. “For every single suicide death, there are 20 times the number of attempts. Recent research has shown most people who attempt to end their life don’t want to die and are looking for any reason to continue living. What that tells us is any intervention – whether it’s a tap on the shoulder, a text message or even an internet pop-up – holds the potential to save someone’s life.”
Since 2020, more than 30,000 caring community members have grown mullets and raised close to $12 million to support the institute’s groundbreaking mental health research. This puts digital services and education into the hands of the people who need it the most. According to Black Dog:
- Nine people die by suicide in Australia every day
- Suicide rates for people living in regional and remote areas are above the national rate
- More than three-quarters of mental health problems occur before the age of 25
- More than half the people living with mental illness will not seek professional help.
“Mullets for Mental Health is a fun and engaging way to start those important mental health conversations that are critical to supporting your mates,” said campaign manager Tom Farrar. “It’s a great way to show your fellow Aussies that you’re all ears for better mental health and suicide prevention in our communities.”
The institute said money raised by those taking part this year can support novel and innovative suicide prevention programs, assist in the research and development of digital mental health tools and apps for adults and children, and help community presenters reach school students to talk about mental health in schools and how to get support.
Help create better mental health for all Australians. Register online at www.mulletsformentalhealth.org.au
Recent Comments