IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK

Another year has come and gone. Each year that passes, the more nostalgic I get and older I feel (obviously), but with this comes a greater understanding of how important our work is and how very precious this life is. Watching my kids grow from babies into toddlers and now primary school is not only my life's greatest achievement, but it is a timely reminder that we must continue working harder than ever before to create a future where suicide is no longer the number one killer of young Australians. I want my kids to grow up in a world where it is normal to talk about what we are going through, where we are proactive in accessing appropriate support.

Watching our facilitators travel across the country delivering LIVINWell sessions makes me proud. There's something really special about knowing that on any given day, someone from our team is standing in front of a group of young people, sharing our message that it ain't weak to speak.

This year alone, we delivered our programmes to over 20,000 people right around the country, bringing our historical total to over 330,000 participants. That's 330,000 conversations started, 330,000 people equipped with tools to support themselves and their mates.

Our school sessions are what make me most proud. I think about my own kids sitting in classrooms not too dissimilar to the ones we visit, and it hits me every time - this is the work that matters. After each session, we hear from students who finally feel like someone gets it, teachers who tell us they've been waiting for this conversation, and schools who want us back again and again.

Our workplace programmes continue to grow from strength to strength, with organisations genuinely committed to creating better environments for their people. One workplace shared with us:

Moments like these are why we keep going, especially on the tough days. Every young person who leaves one of our sessions feeling a little less alone, every workplace that creates a culture where it's okay to not be okay - that's a life potentially saved. That's a family potentially spared the unimaginable pain of loss.

I don't have favourite events - like having a favourite child, it's frowned upon. However, two special moments I want to highlight from this year really capture what this work means to me.

The Alpha Events Podcast Royale 2.0 was something else. Not only did we have the opportunity to share LIVIN's It Ain't Weak to Speak message with thousands of people, but afterwards I had countless people coming up to me to share stories of how LIVIN has saved or positively changed their life or their mate's life. I was blown away by the vulnerability and the courage shown by these people to come up to me, a stranger, and share these deeply personal stories. It reminded me that behind every statistic, every number we quote, there are real people, real families, real pain - but also real hope.

This year I was also lucky enough to meet Kupi Ta'ala - this amazing human ran 42 marathons in 42 days while maintaining a full-time job and being a devoted father and husband. He pushed through at all hours, through all weather, in sickness and health. He did it all with a smile on his face without any complaints or fuss, proving that a person with a why can bear almost any how.

This is one of the greatest joys in having the opportunity to do this work - every year we get to meet truly incredible people who do incredible things because they want to make the world a better place. I know I've mentioned two specific events, but every event is special, particularly the events we are involved in on an ongoing basis. Each one gives us an opportunity to engage with our community and, in particular, our volunteers, who are all amazing people we are blessed to have.

The relationships with our partners strengthened this year, and their support has ensured we can continue to focus on delivering life-changing education around the country. Snap Fitness, The Lott, The Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, Aspley Mazda, Hastings Deering and CE Group have all gone above and beyond for us this year. Their commitment isn't just financial - it's genuine belief in what we're doing and a shared vision for a healthier Australia.

This year we also established a partnership with Anaconda, and I'm excited about bringing this to life next year. We'll be bringing all of you along for the ride, and I reckon it's going to be something really special.

I'm excited about what's ahead. The need has never been greater, and while that weighs heavy on us, it also drives us forward. Our goal is simple - reach more young Australians with our message, get into more schools, more workplaces, more communities. We'll keep showing up, keep pushing, keep fighting - because every young person deserves to know that it ain't weak to speak.

As I wrap this up, I want to say thank you. To our staff who show up every day with passion and purpose. To our board who guide us with wisdom and support. To our facilitators who deliver our message with authenticity and heart. To our volunteers who give their time because they believe in what we're doing. To our supporters who back us and champion us in their communities. And to our partners who stand beside us in this fight.

A special thank you goes to my wife - who walks this journey with me both at home and in the work we do at LIVIN. She carries so much of this mission alongside me, both professionally and personally. She understands the weight of it, and the toll it can take. Her commitment to LIVIN and to our family keeps me going. To my kids, thank you! You remind me why we're fighting for this future, and you give me the strength to keep going when it gets tough. I love you.

As we head into the break, I hope you all get some time to rest, to be with your loved ones, and to recharge. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and yours. May it be filled with laughter, love and good times. On another note, the holiday period can be a challenging time for some people. It can be the loneliest and saddest time of the year. If something doesn't feel right with anyone in your life, make sure to check in on them and offer them support. Stay safe, look after yourself and we will see you next year.

Dwayne, it's all for you. I hope you're proud of what we're building in your name, of the lives we're changing, of the conversations we're starting. Your legacy lives on in every young person who finds the courage to speak up, in every life saved, in every family spared the pain of loss. We'll keep fighting for you and for them.

It Ain't Weak To Speak

Casey Lyons
CEO & Co-Founder
3/52 Newheath Drive Arundel, QLD 4214