Meet Matt. Our very own Mental Health warrior.

28/09/2023

Mental Health Month is an important event that aims to upskill everyone to identify potential signs or symptoms that may indicate someone could benefit from the question. This month is especially a good reminder to ask the question and start a meaningful conversation that could save a life.

At Downer, we know how important it is to support the mental health of our people and communities. Our Mental Health First Aid training course arms our people with the knowledge and insights to support themselves, their colleagues, family, friends and people within their communities.

Downer is thrilled to see over 2,600 people trained in Mental Health First Aid across the company with an advanced accreditation. That’s 1 out of 11 countries who have achieved this. 

Meet Matt, Senior Supervisor for our Utilities Urban Utilities program and most importantly father to Charlotte, Mason and Eliza and husband to Lorin. 

We asked Matt what he thinks about this year’s R U OK? Day theme, “I’m here to hear” and he believes this is a strong message. 

“Having someone that present to just listen can do wonders to a person struggling to talk. Letting out the emotions is a positive step in the recovery and building that vulnerability and honesty. It allows us as people to understand other’s struggles, but it also allows us in their personal space to help.”

Matt is proud of the team he has around him to push this important message at times like this. 

“I am a firm believer that R U OK? Day is every day. Regular check ins with those experiencing doubt is so important to making sure each day we look out for our teammates, family members and ourselves.”

All around Australia and New Zealand, Downer has heard about Matt’s Mental Health walk in Brisbane last October. We asked how this event became so successful!

Matt explains, “Last year I held a talk on R U OK? day to promote my own personal battle I had with Mental Health. Hardest thing I’ve done but being in a vulnerable space and being able to tell my story creates a ripple effect that says its ok to be emotional.

This then progressed to a Mental Health walk and having Downer get onboard and help was instrumental and shows what kind of team I work with.

It was an opportunity to show people tools and techniques I learnt in my journey and provide a practical workshop that could help family, friends or most importantly themselves.

We did this as a team with the help of Eamonn Flynn, Liam Darcy and Tamara Reed here in Brisbane and we were lucky enough to promote two local community programs raise important funds for the communities we work in.

Matt went on to explain what this day means to him. We thank Matt for his courage in speaking about his lived experience. 

Matt says, “I got myself into a very hard place that eventually had me planning to take my own life.”

It consisted of family issues, personal battles in life and some things that I felt like I couldn’t talk about or go to anyone as I was in a bad head space. I struggled to find a way to get help (or so I thought).

Fast forward from the darkest day to finally finding a way of communicating my issues through journalling. This tool was what saved me, because it was a way I got what was in my head on to paper and helped me be able to breakdown my thoughts and get the help required.

We asked Matt where we will find him this R U OK? Day to which he says, “Our Brisbane team will be hosting an event to celebrate the day. Not everyone can talk but we have to make sure people understand the tools out there that might be available to them.”

Matt also explains how he has some plans to look at a wellbeing and health opportunity with a friend. The wellness centre will be around exercise programs, ice baths, yoga, breathwork. And to get the locals from footy clubs involved as well as work colleagues. 

We also wish Matt good luck for his 9km walk in October which continues raising awareness for mental health.   

We ask that everyone looks after themselves and those around you – not just today, but every day. Because of employees like Matt, we enable those in our communities to thrive.