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Will knows what it's like to feel alone with his worries. He grew up in Melbourne but when he left home, he started working in remote regional towns as an electrician.

His burdens became heavier and heavier. The isolation. The additional pressure of paying rent and bills, and the stress of starting a new career. One night, it got too much. Far away from his friends and family, Will felt isolated and overwhelmed.

“I was in the kitchen, washing the dishes after dinner. Alone in this empty house. I felt overwhelmed, but I knew I didn’t have anyone to talk to.”

“That made me feel helpless. Whenever I felt that way, thoughts of taking my own life were at the front of my brain. I needed somebody to talk to. Urgently.” 

Will’s emotions are very personal, but we do know that many men have similar feelings. And sadly, some have similar thoughts of suicide. 

Of all the people in Australia who take their own lives, three in four are men. 

Thankfully, Will did connect with a crisis supporter that night and another night a few years later when he was 24. While Will recalls that he was in an extremely emotional state, there are small details that have stayed with him:

“One thing I remember was the crisis supporter asking if I wanted anything to drink, a cup of tea or a cup of coffee. It just seemed so logical to me that she was asking these questions and making sure that I was comfortable.

So, I had a cup of tea in bed. It became a very calming situation. I think that conversation really stimulated the rest of my mental health support since then.” 

Since that time, Will has been proactive in managing his mental health with the help of a
psychologist. Today, Will is 29 years old. He’s recently achieved his goal of standing at the summit of all the 2,000m mountains in Australia. His next goal is to stand on the highest point of every state and territory in Australia. 

Right now, there are men feeling just like Will did that night. They want to speak to someone about the emotions that weigh so heavily, but they don’t where to turn.

Sadly, of every 10 requests for help received by Lifeline, only four come from men. And the consequences of bottling up emotions can be heart-breaking. 

Every day, nine Australians take their own life. On average, seven of those are men.

Suicide is unbelievably tragic, but it can be prevented.

Hear Will's story on our Holding onto Hope podcast