TO quote a family member bereaved “if only they felt they could talk to someone, that it’s OK to be struggling and help is here…” This thought resonates with so many of families and friends who have lost someone to suicide.

The Let’s Talk Foundation began in 2016 after a shocking increase in suicide in the local South West Victorian community.

The statistics are confronting!

Nine Australians take their own lives every day.

One in five Australians report mental ill-health throughout any given year.

45 percent of the population will experience treatable mental ill-health at some point in their lives.

The Let’s Talk Foundation was created to break the stigma around mental health by opening conversations that make a difference.

I caught up with Abbi Power, Community Activation Lead for ‘Let’s Talk Foundation.’

Ms Power explained that the ‘Let’s Talk Foundation’ is about breaking the stigma of mental health, encouraging help seeking behaviour and raising community competency in supporting themselves and others before reaching crisis point.

Ms Power has seen firsthand that the community focused, preventative approach to mental health really works.

The concept is to seek some support early, take care of yourself and look out for others.

“It’s important to note that one in every two people will suffer from some form of mental health stress during their lifetime - it's much more common than you may think, and there is no shame, blame or guilt in these numbers,” she said.

“What we want is an empowered community in which mental health discussions are open and frequent, to enable those who are suffering to seek support when needed, and the community will support them in their journey.”

On a sunny but chilly day in May, a brave bunch of truck drivers stripped off their clothes at the Mortlake Stock Exchange as they posed for photographs for the 2025 Aussie Truck Drivers Calendar - raising funds for Let’s Talk.

This is the third calendar release by the group and has been well received locally and throughout Australia.

Ms Power delivered a talk to the men (and their partners) involved about the importance of opening up and being aware and supportive.

Let’s Talk delivers community educational mental health presentations to community groups, corporations, service or sporting groups to discuss mental health, and empower the community to be more actively aware and supportive.

While the calendar is on sale now and will undoubtedly create considerable laughter and discussion – the message behind the concept is clear. This group of burly blokes have taken themselves completely out of their comfort zones to pose for the photographs.

One of the truck drivers involved Peter Sheills said “Let’s Talk is a great cause, and if people get talking about the calendar, I want them to understand that it wasn’t easy for any of us to do - strip down to our jocks - but if a regular bunch of blokes can do this - get completely out of their comfort zone - then surely starting a conversation, can’t be that hard”.

That’s what it is all about - recognising that tough guys aren’t necessarily so tough - we can all struggle from time to time, but let’s put our hand up and start a conversation that can, with support, lead to recovery.

You can buy your copy at the Mortlake Roadhouse, CMV Warrnambool, South West Farmers Rural Heywood, Casterton Top Shop or by messaging the Aussie Truck Drivers Calendar Facebook page.

All proceeds go straight to Let’s Talk Foundation to further expand their reach and help break the stigma of mental health.