Meet
Mitch.
Glazier turned public speaker, podcaster and MC. Mitch is sharing his lived experience in a bid to change the way Australian’s view mental health and suicide.
BIO
Few people have the drive and dedication of Mitch McPherson. When his younger brother Ty took his own life in 2013, Mitch, a glazier by trade, turned the devastating loss into the successful suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
Since then, Mitch the 2017 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, has spoken to over 700 events which include school groups, workplaces and sporting clubs, community events and National Conferences all across the country. Through partnering with key community groups, businesses and sporting identities SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY has over 26,500 likes on its Facebook page, and this support continues to grow daily.
Since 2014 Mitch has partnered with Relationships Australia Tasmania, to ensure that the message of SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY continues to grow. Now with a dynamic and passionate team, programs in schools and sporting clubs across the state continue to educate Tasmanians on the issues surrounding mental health – https://staychatty.com.au/programs/
Mitch is dedicated to spreading the message that nothing is so bad that you can’t talk about it, and his vision that SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY will become a national charity, with a focus on delivering programs in schools and sporting clubs around Australia to increase awareness and remove the stigma surrounding mental health.
Expand your knowledge and be inspired to action after hearing Mitch’s story of losing his brother to suicide.
presentations
Expand your knowledge and be inspired to action after hearing Mitch’s story of losing his brother to suicide.
Mitch’s presentation covers:
- Personal story – a firsthand experience of suicide bereavement
- The journey from tradie to mental health advocate
- Overview of mental health, what is it exactly?
- 5 ways we, as individuals and a community, can make a difference
All of the above can be delivered in 30-45 minutes.
Mitch’s book ‘Behind the Smile’ will also be available to purchase at the time.
We acknowledge that the subject of suicide may be difficult for many people. Mitch delivers his personal story with sensitivity, and in alignment with existing best practice guidelines for safe language.
If you would like Mitch to visit your school, workplace, community group or sporting club across Australia, please contact us below, or at admin@mitchmcpherson.com.au
Podcast (Get Frank)
Get Frank will see me, your host, Mitch McPherson, engage in candid conversations with familiar, and some not so familiar faces and names.
I believe in the power of storytelling, and how sharing stories of a life that has not always been easy might just help someone else out of a hole.
Profile or not, we are all human. We all have good days, bad days, and days in-between. “Get Frank” allows us to get to know people for who they really are. What makes them sing in the car on the way to work? What makes them scratch and shake their head? What drives them? What are they fearful of?
Join me on a journey to showcase that no matter who you are or where you come from, we all quite simply want to feel the very best we can each day.
So, let’s Get Frank!
Get Frank is proudly sponsored by
Get a little Frank is proudly sponsored by
MC
With a passion for entertaining an audience, public speaking and seeing people having fun, Mitch has now established himself as an authentic and engaging MC.
Mitch brings an organised, confident but humble, and a generously uplifting spirit to the stage, as he hosts functions, conferences, dinners and award nights across the state.
Mitch continues to receive excellent feedback for his professionalism, supportive and engaging personality.
achievements
Mitch’s list of personal achievements since creating the charity continue to grow. Since 2013, Mitch has been awarded the following:
- Clarence Citizen of the Year Award in 2014
- Tasmanian of the Year finalist 2014
- Southern Cross Young Achiever, Heather and Christopher Chong Community Service Award 2015
- Tasmanian Pride of Australia Medal for Community Spirit 2015
- Southern Cross Young Achiever, St Luke’s Healthier Communities Award 2016
- Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year Award 2016
- Red Herring Surf Communities in Action for Suicide Prevention LIFE Award 2016
- 2016 Tasmanian Community Achievement Award winner for ‘Healthier Communities’
- 2017 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year
- National 2020 Men’s Health Awards – Tasmanian “People’s Choice” Winner
Book – Behind the Smile
After the loss of his younger brother Ty to suicide, Mitch McPherson founded SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
It started humbly with a bumper sticker to keep Ty’s name alive, and turned into a successful initiative raising awareness of suicide and changing the way people view mental health.
Mitch tells the moving story of his brother’s life and death to help others recognise warning signs that there may be a struggle behind someone’s smile. He speaks plainly and simply, connecting to those who need to hear these messages – the young, sportspeople, tradies and more.
It’s a powerful book to read, and Mitch’s experience shows us all the importance of looking out for those around us. It might even save the life of someone you love.
ORDER NOW!
Local Pick-up:
- Available two (2) business days after purchase
- Please collect from: Farmgate Flowers, 205 New Town Road, New Town
testimonials
“Suicide is a significant issue in Tasmania and across the nation. Every life lost to suicide is devastating for those left behind. Through working in the Tasmanian community, Mitch harnesses his lived experience of a family member dying by suicide to deliver key messages that raise awareness of how people can reach out and support a friend, relative or loved one who is experiencing emotional distress and may be at risk. I’ve listened to Mitch speak in many different settings over recent years, and have always found that his presentations create a safe and supportive space for people to have authentic conversations about mental health and suicide. In a simple, genuine, and powerful way, Mitch gets people thinking, talking and engaged by encouraging and empowering them to support each other during tough times. Mitch is committed to making a difference through reducing stigma, fostering resilience, and building confidence to tackle these issues at a grassroots level in our communities. These are the skills that can help people throughout their lives, and indeed could change the trajectory for many individuals and families.”
“TasRail reached out to Mitch from SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY as part of our overall approach to mental health awareness. 2020 was a hard year for everyone and we identified that, with the impact of COVID-19, it was more important than ever to revisit the message that it is ‘ok to not be ok’. Mitch travelled around the state and presented his story to staff, and the reaction was beyond anything we had experienced before, certainly far more than we expected. While TasRail has always had a focus on mental health, our staff now have even more in their ‘toolbox’ to help them take care of their own mental health; and are equipped and empowered to check in with their family, friends and workmates. Mitch’s personal message is one that we will never forget and has provided an ideal avenue for ‘keeping the conversation going’. A remarkable man with a message that everyone needs to hear. We look forward to building on our positive relationship with SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.”
“This was one of the best things that TasRail has ever done for its people”
“A raw and emotional account of a family tragedy that’s presented from the heart. Mitch shares his insight into the signs and signals that can help us all identify people in our own lives that need us to start a conversation and let them know we’re here for them and listening.”
“I learnt that its ok to not bottle up thoughts and emotions and talk more to family and friends. I don’t have to do it all myself.”
“I first met Mitch McPherson during Speak Up Stay Chatty’s infancy, when I was teacher. I had never heard Mitch speak but I invited him to present to my Grade 6 students. We all listened to Mitch’s raw and confronting personal story, detailing the time when Mitch’s younger brother, Ty, took his own life and the harsh reality of a family struggling to carry on in the aftermath. It was profound experience. Mitch and I have become friends and I am continually inspired by his outlook and ability to recount his family’s own tragic experience in an effort to help others. Mitch works in the community to promote mental health and prevention of suicide by normalising conversations and encouraging people to seek help when they need it. Mitch has received many awards for his work and was the 2017 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year. Mitch is an inspiration to many and I’m proud to support him.”
“Fairbrother has hosted Mitch as a part of the training we deliver to our first year carpentry and cabinet making apprentices in March for the last six years. The message he delivers to the approximately 25no. attendees each year is personal and very engaging. He interacts directly with us and is able to deliver his message in a way that consistently leaves everyone better off having heard his story and experiences. He is a down to earth and relatable speaker. Each year, the new apprentices always note the segment he delivers as one of the highlights of the training day. We would gladly recommend Mitch as a speaker to other groups, businesses and organisations.”
Contact
Get in touch with us today.
For bookings or enquiries please submit the form to the right, or email us directly at admin@mitchmcpherson.com.au.