A stark and sombre tribute unfolded on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra this Wednesday, as more than 2,500 pairs of empty boots were carefully arranged, each one representing an Australian man or boy lost to suicide in the past year.
A Silent Cry for Help on International Men's Day
The powerful installation, featuring 2,529 boots accompanied by photos and personal tributes, was timed to coincide with International Men's Day. The day is dedicated to raising awareness for men's health and well-being, with this year's gesture aiming to shatter the silence around one of the biggest killers of Australian men.
The visual representation of the scale of male suicide came as a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare laid bare the grim statistics. The report identified mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including suicide and self-inflicted injuries, as among the leading causes of death for younger men. Alarmingly, it also found that half of all deaths in men aged under 75 were considered potentially avoidable.
Political Leaders Call for Cultural Change
Federal Labor MP and former Olympian, Dan Repacholi, used social media to voice his support for the day's message. He emphasised that being a man isn't about feigning toughness, but about 'being a good bloke, showing up, looking after your mates and being someone the young fellas can look up to'.
Mr Repacholi, who is co-chairing the newly launched Parliamentary Friends of Healthy Masculinities, was direct in his advice, stating that International Men’s Day is about 'calling out the pressure on men and boys to just push through and never ask for help'. He encouraged men to take one simple action, whether it be messaging a friend or finally booking a doctor's appointment.
Echoing this sentiment, Independent MP David Pocock, the other co-chair of the group, stated that 'men have to step up' to address the mental health crisis. He affirmed the need for men to play an active role in setting new standards for behaviour and supporting one another through difficult times.
A Community Urged to Back Its Boys and Men
The overwhelming message from the event was one of community and support. The display served as a heartbreakingly tangible reminder of the lives behind the statistics, urging a national conversation. The call to action is clear: Australian men are being encouraged to seek help when they need it, leaning on emotional support from friends and family or reaching out to professional organisations.
As Mr Repacholi concluded in his post, 'When we back boys and men, the whole community is better for it.' For confidential 24-hour support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
