"Let's Be There"

On September 5th, I had the honor of hosting the second "Let's Be There" mental health awareness and suicide prevention event, a cause that has grown deeply personal to me. What started as a small initiative in April 2023, with just 45 attendees, now had almost tripled with 113 people in attendance. 

 

The motivation for this event hit me hard in 2022 I learned about the rising suicide rates among mortgage brokers. In that moment, as I stood on stage discussing TikTok trends, I realised how small that all felt compared to the lives being lost. It was then that I knew I no longer wanted to be just "the TikTok girl." I wanted to help others in our industry understand that they’re never alone in their struggles and that their community are here.

 

 

Our industry is tough. We face immense pressure from unpaid work, tight deadlines, and overwhelming financial burdens of claw backs, Unfortunately, many of us, especially men, tend to worry alone.. But we don’t have to suffer in silence. That’s why I decided to create a space where brokers, referral partners, bank BDMs, and aggregator BDMs could come together, support each other, and focus on building "mental fitness."

 

The theme for this year’s event was "Mentally Fit." Just as we exercise our bodies, we must also strengthen the invisible muscles in our minds. Mental health touches us all, especially here in Tasmania, where rates are higher than the national average for mental challenges. It’s a pressing issue that needs constant attention, and I’m proud to play a role in bringing that awareness.

 

The night was filled with meaningful discussions and heartfelt moments. Industry updates and statistics on suicide rates shook us to our core, reminding us of the gravity of this issue. Our keynote speaker, Brock McLean, delivered an inspiring talk, followed by a moving Q&A panel featuring Ben Fisher from Lifeline who discussed in detail how you can be there for someone who has reached out for help, and signs to look out for if someone may be struggling, Jay, and Peter White, who shared their personal story of resilience and the importance of mental health support.

 

 

We also paused to remember those we've lost, including Blake Albones and Rob Greatbatch and I shared my own journey with postnatal depression. This past year has deepened my understanding of the critical need for mental health awareness. I’m more determined than ever to continue this event, year after year, until we can erase the statistics that represent lives lost too soon.

 

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and attendees, we raised almost $10,000, all of which will go directly to Speak Up! Stay ChatTY, a Tasmanian organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health awareness. We’re  were proud to have founder Mitch join us for the second year running, sharing his insights on how we can better support one another.

 

This event is just the beginning. Together, we can ensure that no one in our industry feels like they have to face their challenges alone.