The Silent Crisis. From Grief to Reform. Our Mission for Change.

The brand STAYD was created not just to sell great merch or raise funds for men’s mental health. There’s so much more to our purpose, and to our name.

1. Creating Conversation That Saves Lives

STAYD exists to spark real conversations. To encourage people to check in on their mates, not just with a casual “You good?” but with the courage to ask, “Are you really okay?”

We get it. Men are wired differently. Women are not afraid to ask the nitty gritty questions and dig deep. But too often, men feel like they’re prying or invading personal space. The truth? Showing genuine interest in a mate’s wellbeing builds deeper trust and connection.

Sometimes, all someone needs is to release their worries, fears, or thoughts to someone who will simply listen, without judgment, without advice, without trying to fix it. That act alone can be a karmic release.

Never be afraid to ask the hard questions. Ask, knowing they might be afraid to speak. Ask, knowing you might be saving a life.

2. Holding Government Accountable

What are our governments actually doing? Where is the funding, access, and accountability for this known epidemic?

We’ve spent decades promoting gender equality in the public sphere, through legislation, employment reforms, and social campaigns. But in doing so, we’ve overlooked the shifting role of men in the private sphere.

As society evolves, many of the ways men once understood their value, through provision, protection, and stoicism, have been eroded or pathologised. Traits like emotional reserve and physical courage, once respected, are now often viewed negatively.

And yet, we’ve done little to address the emotional fallout. We need policies and legislation that affirm men’s right to mental health, emotional expression, and social connection. This isn’t just a gap - it’s a chasm. And it demands systemic change.

3. Facing the Statistics & Potential Contributing Factors

The National Suicide Registers in NSW, VIC, and QLD reveal a devastating trend: a disproportionately high number of male suicides occur between the ages of 35–44. These are young men. Fathers. Partners.

I have serious concerns regarding these three questions:

- What’s the correlation between divorce and suicide? Between custody battles and mental health?

- Has anyone truly investigated the emotional toll on men fighting lengthy, complex legal battles just to see their own children?

- When did being a dad become a fight for access?

This space demands urgent attention from our three arms, the Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary. Because behind every statistic is a shattered family, a grieving friend, a workplace forever changed by a life gone too soon.

There is so much more we should be doing in this space. STAYD’s purpose is to encourage, promote, and engage, to enact change that is long overdue. Your voice matters and can help in so many ways!