Torquay man honours friend lost to suicide with powerful Movember campaign
One man's devastating loss has sparked a mission to prove that real strength comes from men talking about their feelings, not hiding them.
A heartbreaking loss has inspired a Torquay man to fight for men’s health and help dispel harmful notions of masculinity.
Ryan Mannix became a Movember ambassador this year, after losing a friend, Kayne, to suicide.
Mr Mannix has long supported Movember but Kayne’s death at just 30, last year, strengthened his resolve to spread the message about men’s wellbeing.
Mr Mannix said he got involved with the charity to change harmful ideas about masculinity and what a man should be.
“We have this stigma of males as being stoic and macho and not really talking about their feelings and emotions,” he said.
“For me, the most confident male role models in my life are ones that can talk about what they’re feeling.”
Mr Mannix is a yoga and meditation teacher who runs classes and events across the region. He said those practices were positive for mental health because they often involved discussions about emotional wellness.
“We talk about the practice of mindfulness, how you’re feeling, and what’s going on in your life,” he said.
“I really just wanted my fellow friends and males in my life to be able to do so also.”
He recently completed the Point to Pinnacle half marathon, which he said was a great opportunity to talk to like-minded people.
“What’s really beneficial is being able to be out in the community and talk to blokes about stuff and just get the conversation started,” he said.
“It’s really fantastic to see men that are all shapes and sizes and from all backgrounds, and really sort of blokey blokes are getting around each other and we’re all out there for the same cause.”
Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged 15-49, according to the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing.
Movember has raised more than $1.7bn in the 22 years it has been running, contributing to more than 1300 men’s health projects globally.
The campaign urges Australians to unite for men’s health, particularly mental health and prostate and testicular health.
Cancer Australia said that one in five men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, while Healthdirect notes that testicular cancer is the most common form of the disease in males aged 20-39.
Mr Mannix said being a Movember Ambassador this year had allowed him to get a look behind the curtain to see just how far the money goes, strengthening his commitment to the project.
“Movember are doing such great work within the community and also behind the scenes to really change the face of men’s health and get conversation started,” he said.
Donate or find out more at movember.com.
If you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Originally published as Torquay man honours friend lost to suicide with powerful Movember campaign
