What’s Happening

We are excited to announce that the Schools Program has now extended to all schools across the state including independent and Catholic schools. Email staychatty@reltas.com.au to book in a session for 2020.

Do you play sport for a club, or train with a group of people? The Stay ChatTY Sports Program aims to normalise the conversation of mental health, provide tips on staying mentally fit and how to spot the signs if a team mate is struggling. James recently visited the New [...]

Thank you to Jenina and the JDW community for supporting Stay ChatTY as part of their annual dance concert. The theme was “What the World Needs Now” and the undercurrent of love and kindness was so well aligned with some of our key messages. With the efforts of the JDW [...]

Did you see ‘FilePro’ competing in the 2019-20 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race? Tim Gadsby and his crew decided to generously display our logo all over the yacht, as they seriously believe in the change our work is creating. Tim says the yacht has been a “space for his [...]

We’re sure you’d agree having fun is an important part of life? Fun connects us back to what is important in our worlds. Thank you to Amie from Madison Events who organised a ball at the Launceston Grand Chancellor at the end of 2019. A fun night with a big [...]

Coles continue to support us with sales of our Stay ChatTY stickers and wristbands in-store right across the state and alongside that Bec Woods heads up creating multiple fundraising activities to support us throughout the year. Recently Coles held a quiz night at Blundstone Arena. The energy in the room [...]

We love hearing about the positive ripple effect that people in our community have when they take inspired action. Ben Hirst recently completed his third massive annual effort for Stay ChatTY and had many people join him during his seven day mission to run Laps for Lads. Jed Matthews (pictured) was one of those people that came [...]

Earlier on in November Jayde Richardson swam for over 12 hours and successfully crossed the English Channel. Jayde some time ago decided to raise funds for us at Stay ChatTY along the way given her passion for mental health and suicide awareness. We were so pleased recently to receive a visit from Jayde to announce she had raised [...]

Kat and Julia were given an exciting opportunity to travel to Flinders Island in November, presenting our positive mental health workshops. Over two days they delivered sessions to teachers, students and community members. They also found some time in between to explore the incredible island! Thank you so much Flinders Island District School, TasPorts and Ken at Mountain [...]

Last month, the Student Operations Division within the University of Tasmania fundraised for us at Stay ChatTY. Five teams within the division competed against each other to see who could raise the most money. Teams cooked meals, baked desserts, even sketched drawings, selling them to raise further funds. Mitch was thrilled recently, as [...]

November was mental health month at RACT – Hobart, which was a perfect opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. This year, 27 teams consisting of 127 staff across the organisation signed up to be a part of the Safety and Wellbeing’s RACT Team Challenge for Mental Health. Each team was [...]

Another positive session for the Sports Program visiting the Campion group at Jenina’s Dance Workshop. Being a part of a club/studio and surrounding yourself with like-minded people can be protective of your mental health. If we detect one of our teammates is just 1% off their game, we need to make it a priority to find out what’s on their [...]

In early November our good friends at Mackillop held a whole school 'Wear Your Shorts to School Day' fundraiser as part of their annual 'Sunny Side Up' initiative which this year focused on mental health. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t play fair delivering a cloudy, rainy and windy day for the staff and students. Despite the [...]

The Stay ChatTY Schools Program will now be available for all Catholic and Independent secondary schools across Tasmania in 2020. The Schools Program provides mental health literacy workshops for grades 9-12, which is grounded in evidence and aligned with the Australian Secondary School Curriculum. We also offer teacher and parent workshops in cost-effective packages for a whole school [...]

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY strongly believes in the power of lived experience to create change. Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help [...]

A message from Ben: “For my third Run for Mental Health challenge I wanted to do something that people thought was crazy, unachievable and downright ridiculous. Laps for Lads ticked all these boxes and running 775kms in 7 days around a 330-metre school oval definitely got people to take notice [...]

The Stay ChatTY Sports Program has been present in the North of the state this month. Kylea, Sophie and James have been hard at it, presenting in the North and North-West of the state. Kylea presented to the Riverside Cricket Club, James spoke to players at both the Penguin Basketball [...]

Tash visited IOOF and shared the community presentation over two sessions. It was amazing to have IOOF embrace Stay ChatTY’s key messages and to have over 60 members of the team spend time investing in these sessions. #StayChatTY

The Annual Calvary Quiz night was held recently, run, organised and lead by the amazing David Clarke and Ash Tuttle. General Manager Calvary Hobart Marcus DiMartino and Director of Mission Tony Brennan (pictured) were on hand at a Leaders and Managers session held in Hobart recently, to hand over the [...]

Mitch delivered a keynote presentation at the National Australian Institute of Embalming Conference. Around 100 people gathered from across the country (and internationally) for this annual event which this year was held in Tasmania. Millingtons Funeral and Cemetery Services continue to support Stay ChatTY and kindly donated $1000 to allow us to [...]

Kat and Julia delivered teacher, parent and student workshops to New Norfolk High this month. They discussed ways young people can look after their own mental health and the importance of getting help early if you’re struggling. It was great to talk about mental health and wellbeing in a supportive [...]

Stay ChatTY is excited to announce that Joel Berry has joined the team as a Youth Advisor. This is a new role created to engage young people in mental health promotion, and make sure that Stay ChatTY’s youth-focused initiatives are relevant and accessible to young people. Joel is a young person [...]

We love receiving updates of the Stay ChatTY Hagg cruising around in Antarctica. Thank you for the epic shots 📸 Meg McKeown 👌 #StayChatTY #Antarctica

Congratulations to the Clarence Football Club under 15 and 16 teams on winning both their grand finals recently in Hobart. It fills us with great pride seeing our logo on display week in week out. Well done and thank you to the club for the ongoing support of our work. [...]

Mitch and James proudly represented Stay ChatTY at Dominic College’s inaugural ‘Mental Health Week’. This initiative led by Grade Coordinator of Pastoral Care, Aaron Davey focuses on a variety of topics such as self-care, body image, fitness and how to safely manage social media to name a few. We delivered four sessions [...]

Congratulations Tash, our Community Engagement Officer, on completing her first presentation! Students at UTAS, studying their Masters of Teaching were lucky enough to have Tash talk about mental health, supportive conversations and where we can find help for ourselves, or for the people around us. Well delivered Tash 👏🏼 #StayChatTY [...]

Recently Kylea delivered the Sports Program to the Riverside Olympic Soccer Club in Launceston. It was great to share our ideas and to have such open and honest chats around the topic. Thank you for inviting the conversation of mental health into your club. If you are a sports club in [...]

Kat and Julia have been working their tails off lately! They have just completed seven school sessions in only five days, two at Winnaleah and five at Don College. The students were great and so enthusiastic to help us create communities that support mental health and encourage supportive conversations. #SchoolsProgram #StayChatTY

On September 12th the R U OK? 10-week Conversations Convoy will be complete. The convoy will finish in Sydney on R U OK? Day (September 12). The aim of the ‘Conversation Convoy’ is to make every day R U OK? Day by encouraging more Australians to get comfortable asking the [...]

We are thrilled to be part of an upcoming Gala Ball in Launceston Tasmania on October 5. Join us in the north of the state for an evening of glam, dancing, and most of all raising funds for mental health awareness here in Tasmania. Link to tickets is below. Thanks [...]

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY strongly believes in the power of lived experience to create change. Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help [...]

Kyra (pictured) works as a spare parts apprentice with Komatsu (Komatsu Limited). Each year Komatsu run an initiative called “Live Your Dream”. LYD is designed to help their employees achieve personal goals and improve their communities by applying for a $10,000 grant to go towards a certain organisation or charity. [...]

The Sports Program visited the St. Virgil’s Old Scholars Football Club recently and discussed the importance of checking in with the ones around us. Rumour has it that the team who hasn’t won a game notched up their first win on the weekend after the presentation 😉 must have been a [...]

Earlier in the month Stay ChatTY visited the Dover District School to deliver the Schools Program. It was great to see so many staff and support teachers attend the session right there with the students. Thank you to the students and teachers for inviting the conversation of mental health into your [...]

After an 8 week break of delivering presentations, Mitch McPherson returned this week to kick start a busy back end of the year sharing his story. To kick it off, he was invited to share this week with the grade 9 group at Eastside Lutheran College on Hobart’s Eastern-shore. ELC [...]

Amanda was the Business Development and Research Officer for Relationships Australia Tas. But over the last 4 years, she has also been co-team lead and a huge driver behind all areas of the Stay ChatTY’s work. Amanda is leaving us to follow her dream and lead Dress for Success Hobart - [...]

We are super excited to announce the total amount raised from this years’ SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY Ball. Drumroll………………. We raised an impressive $83,176!!! Thank you to all 650 plus guests who united together to show support for our ever growing organisation. To our team led by Amanda French, thank [...]

The team look ready to go at this year’s Suicide Prevention Australia National Conference in Melbourne. The conference spanned 3 days of learning, networking, and bringing home some fresh ideas for our work throughout Tasmania. 👊 #StayChatTY #NSPC19

James delivered the Sports Program to the Hutchins School Old Boys Football Club recently and spoke about the importance of inclusion. Think twice next time you have the opportunity to include a teammate, co-worker or classmate in a drill, activity or conversation. This gesture can build trust, bond relationships and [...]

Kat delivered our community presentation to the Team Leaders and Pharmacists at the Department of Human Services. Their offices in Orange didn’t want to miss out and Skyped in the hear the presentation being delivered. Thank you for having us at your workplace to talk about mental health in a [...]

Kat and Julia recently presented four student sessions at Rose Bay High School. Young people practised supporting their peers over social media by filling out our helping a friend scenarios. Mental health is everyone’s business and we can all play a role in supporting the mental wellbeing of others. 👩

Exciting news - it is our 6th birthday 🎂 This month we reflect on the many great achievements, conversations, acts of kindness, program sessions, positive outcomes and all the awareness that we have generated over the past 12 months. Big thank you to everyone for the ongoing support, it is [...]

We are SO excited to announce Stay ChatTY’s newest member of the team: Tash ✅🎉🙌🏻 Tash will be working as our Community Engagement Officer, presenting to workplaces and community groups as well as many (many) other roles to help Stay ChatTY continue to run smooth. We look forward to you [...]

Relationships Australia Tasmania and Clennett's Mitre 10 have announced a formal partnership between the two organisations, specifically to support the activities of SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. For three years, Clennett's Mitre 10 will contribute $30,000 annually, in addition to proceeds raised from fundraising initiatives throughout the partnership. "Our partnership with [...]

The state women’s football team invited James to deliver the Sports Program to learn about mental health, keeping mentally fit and how to help out a team mate. Gaining knowledge of is essential to breaking down the stigma that exists around mental health in Tasmania. We can all play an [...]

Mitch was invited to speak to the team at Tom Moore and Son in Kingston recently. Mitch’s story is a real insight into the devastation left behind when touched by suicide. This group made up of all males, were extremely appreciative of Mitch’s ability to share. The group vowed to [...]

”It was good to have a session like this, one that will help me someday when I really need it” “I now feel confident to get help for myself and others. It’s important to put mental health first” These are just a couple of comments from our School Program sessions [...]

We are feeling super grateful as our wonderful friends at Banjo's Bakery Cafe handed over $31,971.50 from #CoffeeMonth. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a large coffee from any of Banjo’s 40 stores across the country. This support from Banjo's allows us to stay active in sporting clubs, [...]

Begin a conversation with Lifeline Tasmania now to commence your journey towards becoming a 13 11 14 Volunteer Crisis Supporter. Working on the frontline of suicide prevention, you could make a significant difference to people experiencing personal crisis. To explore the training and volunteering options available as a Crisis Supporter, [...]

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY strongly believes in the power of lived experience to create change. Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help to bring light to the issue [...]

Stay ChatTY would like to introduce our newest members, Sophie and Kylea. Sophie and Kylea will be helping facilitate the Sports Program in the North and North West of the state. “Hi, I’m Sophie and I come to the Stay ChatTY team with a background in education, program coordination and [...]

The South Arm RSL & Community Club held its inaugural Day on the Arm to celebrate their community. All proceeds throughout the day went to Stay ChatTY, thank you Steve for you help in organising this event, and the community for raising $1213. Events like these are great for bringing [...]

Mitch travelled far and wide to share his story with all office staff for Specialist Engineer group pitt&sherry. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart all welcomed Mitch with open arms, as the business proudly and collectively addressed mental health with their staff. We thank you pitt&sherry for your generous donation towards us continuing our [...]

Jayde in September will attempt to swim the English Channel all whilst raising funds for us here at Stay ChatTY. Jayde has already raised over $2000, and we are thrilled to have such a determined and passionate Tasmanian supporting us. We will keep everyone up to speed on Jayde's journey. #StayChatTY Jayde Richardson's English Channel Swim [...]

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY strongly believes in the power of lived experience to create change. Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help to bring light to the issue [...]

Good club culture takes a lot of hard work to build, but its value is priceless. The Sports Program looks at actions that club members can participate in to build exactly this. Thank you to the East Coast Giants for having Stay ChatTY at your club!

Kat and Julia visited the students of Hobart College to present the Schools Program to two health studies classes. Engaging in conversations about mental health are so important to break down the stigma, one of Stay ChatTY’s big goals is to normalise the conversation so individuals who need support have the smoothed pathway to receive it. Thank [...]

The Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network (TSPCN) held their annual LIFE Awards before their forum the next day in Hobart. Stay ChatTY for the third year running proudly sponsored the Outstanding Contribution to Suicide Prevention by a Young Person award. We were pleased to announce that the winner was The Hutchins School. The Hutchins School [...]

This month the Kingborough Lions Football Club played Clarence United for the first annual SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY shield. There was a trophy for the men’s and women’s teams up for grabs. Sporting rounds are a great way for clubs to be a part of awareness raising amongst their [...]

We are so grateful for the team at AM's BodyArt for their fundraising efforts over the last few weeks. The team held a piercing marathon which saw 100% of profits go to us. On top of this, they spent hours in their local community with rattle tins collecting money [...]

Big thanks to the crew at Lyden Builders for inviting Mitch McPherson along to share his story this month. Lyden Builders are a mainly male dominated workforce, so Mitch passionately urged staff to break down some barriers wherever possible. Thanks to Andrew and Lee-Anne for inviting Mitch, and for [...]

This month was the launch of the Touch Football Tasmania - Hobart School Series. This year is the first time the series has come to Hobart which 12 teams will participate in. The second event will be held in Launceston where a massive 42 teams have registered to play. [...]

The school program has been spending some time up on the North West Coast of Tasmania lately, and through April one of their stops was at the Penguin District School. James helped Julia deliver a teacher session and two student sessions to the school (while Kat enjoys herself on [...]

Mr Burger was proud to be supporting Stay Chatty over the month of March (and ongoing). The family run business, who have been touched by suicide, are passionate about raising awareness to mental health issues here in Tasmania. From the month of March $1 from every single burger sold [...]

Tomorrow kicks off our 4th #CoffeeMonth with our good friends at Banjo's Bakery Cafe. For the month of May, 50 cents from every large coffee sold across all Banjos stores (Australia wide) will be donated to us. So let’s drink plenty of ☕️, raise heaps of awareness, and start [...]

Each quarter Specsavers choose a charity to raise money for and Stay ChatTY was lucky enough to be selected for the beginning of 2019. We would also like to acknowledge the support that Specsavers have provided the last few years as well as the last quarter. Earlier this month [...]

Earlier this month James presented to the Launceston Women's Football Club. Stay ChatTY are huge supporters of women in sport. Even in the space of one year, there are more female clubs across Tasmania, presenting great opportunities and role models for young women across the state. If you know [...]

Schools back! So, Kat and Julia took the Stay ChatTY Schools Program to Yolla District High. Thanks so much to the staff, parents and students for making our visit to the North West Coast so much fun. Thank you also for showing off our brand new props 👊 [...]

Throughout 2018 the TUMSS have been holding various fundraising events to raise money for Stay ChatTY. Earlier this month Kat met up with some of their members to accept the cheque. Thank you to the society for the efforts in not only collecting money, but in helping us spread [...]

Australians with lived experience or caring for someone with a mental illness can now connect and share experiences in a safe online community. In partnership with SANE Australia, our website now offers two forums, one for carers and another for people with lived experience. The forums provide a peer-to-peer service. It’s [...]

Mr Burger is proud to be supporting Stay ChatTY for the month of March. The family-run business, who have been touched by suicide, is passionate about raising awareness of mental health issues here in Tasmania. For the month of March, $1 from every single burger sold at both Mr Burger Hobart and the [...]

It was a busy month for Mitch as he launched back into his speaking for 2019. One of the organisations Mitch visited was the team at Steeline Roofing in Hobart's northern suburbs. Mitch delivered two sessions to the staff, sharing his lived experience and delivering our key Stay ChatTY messages. [...]

It’s been a big year for James, developing the sports program and delivering it to 33 clubs across the state. Check out this infographic we put together providing a few stats from 2018. If your club hasn’t seen the program, or you know of a club who would benefit, 📧 [...]

Early on in 2019, our support on Facebook reached 25,000 likes. What better opportunity than now to thank everyone who has and continues to support us on this journey. We do our absolute best to remind people every day that mental health matters. Every like, every comment, every share, all helps [...]

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY strongly believes in the power of lived experience to create change. Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help to [...]

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY strongly believes in the power of lived experience to create change. Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help to bring light to the issue and provide hope and connection for [...]

In January, James was invited to Kingborough Tigers Women’s Football Club to deliver the Stay ChatTY Sports Program. It was an informative evening with lots of questions and good conversation had. As the girls knuckle down into their pre-season, no better way than to be reminded about the importance of listening to the ones [...]

James ventured north this January to the Hadspen Cricket Club, just outside of Launceston. As we return from the end of year break, we reset back to a routine once again. New beginnings can be tough for some, so what better way to kick off 2019 with a reminder to check in [...]

Kat attended the Bayview Secondary College end of year presentation assembly in December. Congratulations to Alyssa Taylor who won the Stay ChatTY Citizenship Award for 2018. Alyssa is passionate about spreading positive messages about mental health and letting people know it’s ok to not be ok. Well done Alyssa keep up the good work! [...]

In December, Mitch was invited to both ActewAGL sites in Canberra. ActewAGL is the ACT’s leading electricity, gas and solar provider. For more than 100 years ActewAGL has supplied safe, reliable and sustainable energy solutions to Canberra and the surrounding NSW region. The company was launching their new 2019 mental health strategy, so wanted to add [...]

Julia took the opportunity over Christmas and New Years to visit her home country Canada. It was a well-deserved break, and a wonderful chance to see family, especially at this time of year. At least the warm southern hemisphere weather will give you a chance to de-frost those fingertips. We are glad to [...]

In late December, Mitch Gittus and 5 fellow cyclists decided to challenge themselves to a 500km trip from Stanley to Hobart in a day. This amazing group raised not only money along the journey, but they spread the importance of a conversation to as many people as they could. We are so appreciative of special initiatives such [...]

Could your school benefit from better mental health literacy? The Stay ChatTY Schools Program is now accepting expressions of interest for 2019! If you’re from a Department of Education school and want to discuss mental health, keeping mentally fit and helping a friend in your grade 9 – 12 classroom, [...]

This month James was invited to New Town District Cricket Club to deliver the Stay ChatTY Sports Program. The players enjoyed their team dinner while absorbing information about mental health, how to be resilient and how to look for characteristic changes in a team mate/friend. Thank you for having us [...]

Julia and Kat travelled up to Triabunna District School this month to talk all things mental health! The team worked with the grade 9s and 10s, and facilitated a teacher and parent session. It was great to be working up in the area. Thanks Triabunna for making student mental health [...]

Big thank you to Kettering Cricket Club who continue to in various ways support our organisation. Led by Cameron Dick, the club is always spreading our messages to the players, officials and to the general community.   Mitch travelled down this month to share his story, and to personally thank [...]

This month Julia visited the staff at One Care Tasmania in Glenorchy to deliver a community mental health presentation. Our community presentations are a great resource for work places and community groups to gather together and learn more on what mental health actually is. It is only when collective efforts [...]

At the start of the year, The Hutchins School Prefect group chose Stay ChatTY to be the charity that the senior school would support throughout 2018. Through various initiatives, fundraisers and activities, the school drove our key messages to all area of the Hutchins community. All whilst raising funds along [...]

Stories Worth Sharing aims to give a voice to the many people who have struggled with their own mental health, supported others, or have been bereaved by suicide. We hope that these stories will help to bring light to these issues and provide hope and connection for others who may [...]

This group of legends at F45 Training Kensington VIC recently rallied together and raised over $6000 for us as they challenged themselves in this year’s Melbourne Marathon. Mitch was in Melbourne this month so popped in to thank them for their efforts, and tell them a little about the work we do here in Tasmania [...]

Next month the Stay ChatTY Schools Program will work with grade 9-12 students at Mountain Heights School in Queenstown on the West Coast of Tasmania. In preparation for the sessions, Julia and Mitch hosted teacher and parent sessions at the school. These sessions not only educate teachers and parents on mental health, but it shares what students/children will be [...]

This month lululemon Hobart invited members of the public to attend a morning of movement in Franklin Square. Entry to this event was by donation, and participants were put through a series of 20-minute workouts throughout the morning. It started off intense with high-intensity body weight movements, and then slowed down with yoga and meditation [...]

Last month Nystar helped us kick off R U OK? Day with a 6am BBQ breakfast for their staff. As a kind gesture, the organisation matched the money raised by staff bringing the total to $1000. Thank you for your support, and for bringing Stay ChatTY into your workplace.

Throughout Mental Health Week, Mitch spoke with 60 Vision Stream and NBN staff at Hobart's Woolstore. The management team at both these organisations are incredibly passionate about breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental health, and they were grateful to Mitch for sharing his story of loss. Thank you to Vision Stream for the generous donation of $5000 also.

Another important day this October for Stay ChatTY. If you have been battling some negative feelings or thoughts lately, why not make right now the time that you open up and seek some support. Always remember, it’s ok to not be ok! If you are seeking help for yourself or someone you [...]

Stay ChatTY is proud to formally partner with Relationships Australia Tasmania in the delivery of our SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY programs. Stay ChatTY has been working with RA Tas since 2014, delivering suicide prevention and mental health promotion programs across Tasmania. Our partnership with RA Tas is an exciting collaborationand will provide Stay ChatTY with day-to-day [...]

Every year the Prison Officers Association of Australasia hold an annual conference, this year they got together in New Zealand. At each conference they choose a charity, and this year Stay ChatTY was selected. Mental health promotion and suicide prevention was a big talking point at the conference this year [...]

On June 21 it was international day of yoga, and on this day lululemon stores all over Australia offered hundreds of yoga by donation classes. Last week we found out that we were the lucky recipient of some of those funds raised. The Sports Program that James facilitates is fully [...]

R U OK? Day was on the 13th of September, this day marks a significant day on the mental health calendar. Our team put in a massive day spreading the word, and raising added awareness. Across the country there were events, morning teas, gatherings, and lots and lots of yellow. [...]

Kicking off in late August, Mitch had his birthday. Following this, on three consecutive Friday’s Kat, James and Julia all had their birthdays. That’s right, three in the space of three weeks. It’s fair to say the office have had their fair share of cake this month. Stay ChatTY wishes [...]