Gerringong brothers Callum and Tyran Wishart know what it feels like to lose a family member to suicide.
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More recently a close friend also took his own life.
"It has been a tough time for the community. I think there has been six suicides in the area in the past six weeks, which is horrible. Four of which were under the age of 22," Callum said.
The 24-year-old and his 20-year-old brother Tyran are "hurting" but they want to do their bit to help and raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention programs.
The duo are taking part in the Black Dog Institute's Mullets for Mental Health.
For the month of September the pair will be sporting mullets and raising funds to show support for mental health research.
"Initially it was just me and Cal, now we have over 40 people in our team," Tyran said.
"This issue is important to a lot of people in our community."
Callum added the fundraiser was good because anyone from anywhere could join a team.
"I feel nowadays that is more important than ever because people are feeling more isolated than ever. Just having a space where anyone can join something good and do good for other people is really important," he said.
"COVID has made things tougher for sure. Isolation is tough for most, especially young people. Just not being able to do the things you want to do and see the people you want to see and maintain that young lifestyle.
"I just think people sometimes just get caught up in their own heads."
This feeling is not foreign to Callum, who spends a lot of time on the road working in sales for the family business Wishart's Paint Solutions.
"I know how it feels like to be by yourself, being on the road all the time, you get caught up in your own head sometimes and I can't wait to see my mates and stuff when I get back," Callum said.
"While I'm on the road as well I really try and better myself, I listen to a lot of stuff involving mental health and some of the changes you can make to your lifestyle to fix that."
Tyran, a promising rugby league player following in his father Rod's footsteps, said the brothers felt compelled to do something following the recent tragedies around the Gerringong-Kiama area.
"It has always been a part of our life, we've had to deal with a loss in our family," he said.
"We've been exposed to the trauma it can have on your family and the community. After the recent tragedies we sort of took it upon ourselves to make a stand and try to do some good for our community."
The brothers' goal was to raise $1000. At time of publication, almost $60,000 had been donated to the cause.
Visit https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraiser/tyandcal to support the cause.
If you need support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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