‘Complete shock’: How footy mate’s suicide left team reeling

Joseph Anderson, from Bondi, met Nick at primary school in Armidale, in rural NSW, before the pair both ended up in the same high school.

An 18-year-old whose footy mate suddenly took his life in their final year of school reveals how it constantly felt there was a piece missing.

Joseph Anderson, from Bondi, met Nick Munsie at primary school in Armidale, in rural NSW, before the pair both ended up in the same high school – St Joseph’s in Hunters Hill, Sydney.

The pair, both boarders at the school, were mates and played on the school’s footy team together.

“Nick was a popular guy, he was loved by everyone,” Joseph told news.com.au.

“He was a special guy who was social and had friends from all different schools.”

No one expected the news Joseph and his team got after playing a match.

Mental health and suicide are not easy subjects to talk about, but news.com.au wants you to know you’re Not Alone. News.com.au’s Not Alone will raise awareness about these issues and provide you with the resources needed to reach out for help.

Joseph Anderson (pictured) lost his footy mate Nick Munsie to suicide last year. Picture: Supplied

Nick hadn’t turned up for the game like he was expected to but the match had to go ahead anyway.

Then, after the game, Joseph’s coach pulled all the boys into the huddle.

He broke the news to the team that Nick, barely 18, had taken his own life and many of his fellow teammates broke down into tears.

“My whole system was in complete shock, I couldn’t believe it,” Joseph revealed.

“I didn’t cry until I saw my mum on the sideline.

“You always hear about it but you never believe it is going to happen to someone you know.”

He added that Nick was the first person close to him that had ever passed away.

The school cohort was forced into lockdown with the rest of the state shortly after Nick took his life. It left them feeling like that hadn’t been able to heal together from the tragic loss that was Nick’s death.

“It was just such a bad year with Covid and we had a couple of other people from our year group pass away,” Joseph revealed.

The campaign was called Mullets for Munz in honour of Nick Munsie who took his own life. Picture: Supplied

The boys grew their hair for Black Dog Institute’s Mullets for Mental Health. Picture: Supplied

“It was just heartbreaking dealing with the stages of grief and what we can do about this stuff.

“There was a lot of reminiscing about the stuff he missed like graduation and formal, and all the stuff he would have been.

“It was like a wish for all he could have been, almost like a piece was missing.”

Distressed, one of Joseph’s classmates – Harry – came up with the brilliant idea of putting their weight behind raising awareness of mental health challenges and raising money to help benefit sufferers.

The group settled on taking part in the Black Dog Institute’s Mullets for Mental Health, which runs throughout September, is in its third year and has so far raised $9.6 million in total.

For the entire month, people grow mullets and collect donations to be given into mental health support schemes.

Nick, centre, took his life last year. Picture: Supplied

Joseph said the group participating grew quickly, with footballers such as NRL’s Sydney Roosters player James Tedesco sharing the boy’s efforts on social media.

The team, called ‘Mullets for Munz’ in honour of their friend, raised $337,470 with Joseph the highest fundraiser bringing in $8700.

Joseph is sharing his and Nick’s story to encourage other people to start a conversation about mental health.

“Mental health is such a big issue, it’s always getting brought up,” Joseph said.

“Just look at Paul Green the other week, the influence and devastation it left behind.

“We just wanted to do whatever we could and I reckon it’s a great campaign, especially with mullets coming back into fashion as well.”

Registrations are currently open for the third year of Mullets for Mental Health.