Media

Media Release

Historic 2,500 Empty Shoes Presentation for Male Suicide Celebrating International Men’s Day

Zerosuicide Community Awareness Program, based in Australia, would like to invite the world to copy our visual presentation of men’s suicide. This is the largest visual presentation to ever take place in Australia and quite possibly the world. We are endeavouring to create a ripple effect of positive awareness through education on the men’s suicide crisis in Australia and around the world. The global theme for International Men’s Day, which will be celebrated on 19 November 2023, is “ZERO MALE SUICIDE”.

Watch the 60-Second IMD promo video here:

Watch the 5-Minute event video here:

During last year’s event, we laid down one shoe for each man or boy who died by suicide. This was 2,358 empty shoes. We laid down 2,500 shoes, as road accident and drug overdose deaths are not always recorded as suicide. We in Australia are currently losing between 40-50 men and boys a week, with annual data showing men’s suicide has been double the entire Australian road toll for many years now.

This visual presentation is provided as free-of-charge event for the Australian community and for all organisations and members of parliament to attended. This is not a protest. This is a memorial event for the families to have recognition for their lost loved ones, and so we can come together and educate Australia on the key factors that can reduce men’s suicide.

The constant increase in male suicide shows the current methods are not working when it comes to men. We encourage you to reach out to others and be kind with your words. Help us raise awareness about the men’s suicide crisis by supporting this event, or creating your own event wherever you are on the planet.

Sadly, globally every year, 452,000 men commit suicide. Almost twice as many men kill themselves, compared to women. On average in western countries, for every one woman who commits suicide, tragically 3-4 men take their own lives.

Professor Dan Bilsker states that we are in the middle of ‘a silent epidemic of male suicide’. Dr Rob Whitley says, “New, male-friendly suicide prevention measures must be adopted to help halt the crisis.” Rob is right — our current approach is not dealing with the situational reality of male suicide.

This event will continue running annually every year here in Australia, and it will be the marker for suicide prevention and awareness in our country. Over 75% of all suicides in Australia are men and boys. By publicising this reality, we raise awareness of the distress and the mental health anguish that affects our entire community.

Paul Withall – Zerosuicide Community Awareness Program:
Mobile: +61 457 100 010 | Email: dragonpaulz@hotmail.com | Facebook

Warwick Marsh – International Men’s Day: +61 418 225 212
Website: www.internationalmensday.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Official.International.Mens.Day