Brother To Brother Foundation hoping to open up the conversation about men's mental health

Those are the words from heartbroken but hopeful Mandurah man Matthew Brescacin, whose brother took his life 15 years ago, causing a devastating ripple effect throughout Mr Brescacin's life.

"In 2004, my elder brother committed suicide after a long battle with depression and anxiety," he said.

"We didn't have the best of childhoods.

"After his death, my life took a downhill turn and it took me sort of 10 years to come through all my depression and a few attempts on my own life."

In an effort to turn his tragedy into triumph, Mr Brescacin established the Brother To Brother Foundation in 2014 to raise awareness of men's mental health and focus on suicide prevention.

The former construction worker said he uses his own experiences with depression, anxiety and the suicide deaths of many of his close friends and family, to discuss suicide and mental illness in a less confronting, more supportive and personal way.

"It really came around from me sort of searching for answers in my own personal life and the more people I spoke to, the more I realised I wasn't the only one on the journey and suffering," he told the Mandurah Mail.

"I decided to create the Foundation as a platform for myself to tell my story."

The Brother To Brother Foundation works on the principle of using pre-existing community groups like sporting teams and hobby organisations to have open conversations about mental health in a safe environment.

"My whole family was feeling the death of my brother so I felt like I couldn't speak to my father or my mother or my sisters because we were all feeling the same things and it was almost like the negative energy was bouncing off each other," he said.

"What I realised was it was my mates and the community groups I was already attached to like the footy and cricket clubs that were really gathering around me, protecting me and offering me support.

"So when I established the Foundation I really wanted to make sure the members within those community groups really knew of their obligations to each other."

Now with a wealth of knowledge and lived experience behind him, Mr Brescacin travels around the state chatting to sporting clubs and football teams about men's mental health, the signs to look out for in yourself or in a mate as well as where to turn to if anyone needs further help.

Their presentations include 'locked in' locker room chats with direct members of football playing groups before or after a training session or a game.

"It's only players and coaches and we put them in the change rooms and we make sure they're aware that the change room is like a sanctuary and it's a safe environment for the boys to talk among themselves," Mr Brescacin said.

"If you add up the hours over the season, that's a lengthy period of time that [the players] do interact on a level you don't get anywhere else so we try to make sure that they're aware of their commitments to each other.

"Sometimes banter can lead to real conversations of importance and what people don't understand is that is normally a bit of a calling card so we try and make players aware that when they hear those things, it's okay to ask questions and follow up on that.

"Men need that opportunity to open up and I don't think men are scared of it or worried about the perceptions in society as such, they just really need that environment."

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Now, the father-of-four is hoping to expand the reach of the Foundation throughout the Peel region, starting with a free BBQ meet-up event on Sunday, May 19.

Brother To Brother Foundation will join forces with the Mr Perfect men's mental health charity to hold the first WA event after similar BBQ's across Australia were hailed as successful.

Mr Brescacin said the event will focus on "men helping men" while also encouraging conversation and connection and promoting broader community awareness surrounding men's mental health.

"The old saying goes that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach so we will feed the masses and the masses will come," he said.

"We just make it a friendly and safe environment, getting a feed and getting to know each other and once the conversation starts, it isn't hard to get it onto the right path.

"It's about making people feel like they're not alone in their struggles and that a struggle is a lot easier to fight if they have support and direction."

Mr Brescacin said his team were hopeful for a great turnout and plans for these meet-ups to become regular events.

"The idea is that bonds are created that strengthen community awareness and acceptance, along with providing essential support to those community members who may need," he said.

"We are hoping to show the WA public that idea of 'Aussie blokes aren't willing to discuss their mental health' is outdated and totally incorrect.

"We are also hopeful that local councils take up the charge and begin hosting large free community health awareness events promoting equality, social acceptance and healthier lifestyle choices for all its residents."

The free BBQ will be held on the Eastern Foreshore from 1pm on Sunday, May 19.

There will be a free sausage sizzle and cold drink provided, along with vegetarian options.

To register for the event, visit the Facebook event page and follow the prompts.

For more information about the Brother To Brother Foundation, or to get in contact with Mr Brescacin for a team visit, visit the Facebook page.

If you or someone you know needs urgent support please contact the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.