Daniel Knust and more than 100 people at Definition Fitness on Saturday lifted over one million kilos for suicide prevention.
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Mr Knust organised the fundraiser after being alarmed at the statistics he heard at the launch of #talk2mebro by founder Kristy Hajjar after she lost her husband to suicide.
Mr Knust said young males in his age group are at the highest risk.
Saturday's Barbells for Brothers is not the first event the gym has organised to support #talk2mebro.
And Mrs Hajjar was grateful for every person who turned out to spend an hour doing squats, bench presses and dead lifts.
Prior to the challenge starting she spoke about how important it is to break the stigma around suicide. Which is why the event was not just about weights being smashed.
"The biggest myth we need to smash is that talking about suicide actually encourages it. This is completely false. Talking about suicide is one of the most helpful things we can do," Mrs Hajjar said.
Open discussions help people seek the help they need. And that increases hope.
Mrs Hajjar also spoke of challenging society's expectations of what it is to be a man.
"All of you here know how important it is to look after your physical health. You are encouraged to train, eat right and get rest. So why should your mental health be any different to your physical health".
To help make the shift in attitude happen #talk2mebro has developed two programs that encourage conversation and taking control of mental health.
They include one-on-one mentoring with young men and facilitated group sessions for all ages.
"It is okay to ask for help," Mrs Hajjar said.
"A real bro won't judge you. And brothers won't let brothers fight alone".
Mrs Hajjar encouraged men to say to each other "talk to me bro".
She said since the launch a year ago #talk2mebro had attracted the support of some amazing people and businesses who put their hand up wanting to help.
She said people like Mr Knust were making a huge difference.
"In 12 short months we have managed to raise over $45,000. We have also managed to get over 20 volunteer mentors who mentor young men through our one-on-one program as well as a handful of ambassadors for our group sessions".
Mrs Hajjar said many others were using their own connections and time to spread the word about what #talk2mebro is trying to do.
"Suicide is preventable yet we are still losing one male every four hours".
She said as a society we need to remove the stigma around suicide and address misunderstanding and intolerence. And the best way to do that is to talk about it more.
"Thank you Dan for believing in this movement," Mrs Hajjar said.
"Doing what we are doing today is why so many more people know about suicide prevention. And that it is okay to talk".
Mrs Hajjar said every person present on Saturday had made a difference.
Mr Knust had to stop and compose himself when he said he appreciated everyone who came out to support #talk2mebro and suicide prevention.
The Definition Fitness gym in Swan St, Wollongong recently lost one of its own members to suicide.
Read more:
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- Definition Fitness owner Daniel Knust named ICN Natural Body Building champion
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