For Seth, the 10kg vest he is carrying this October represents something much heavier.
“The vest represents the load that young men feel from mental health, and it’s something we can take off, but they can’t.”
Seth is a former Top Blokes participant from Dungog High School. This year, he has signed up for Lift the Load, taking on 50km in a 10kg weighted vest to raise funds for Top Blokes and help more young men access the kind of support he experienced himself. Seth joined Ian, one of our Top Blokes Youth Workers for a walk and talk.
Lessons that stay with you
When Seth thinks back to his time in the Top Blokes program, one thing stands out: learning that mental health is something worth paying attention to, not ignoring.
“I still use a lot of the different strategies that are taught in Top Blokes on how to regulate yourself differently with, like, anger management, your own mental health, stuff like that.”
That’s an important part of what long-term impact can look like.
Sometimes it isn’t a dramatic moment or a single conversation. It’s a young man remembering what he learned months or years later. Using a strategy when things get difficult. Recognising when something isn’t right. Knowing how to respond differently.
And, importantly, knowing how to be there for someone else.
Turning what he learned towards others
Seth talks openly about something many young men can find difficult: speaking up when something is going on.
But his advice to other young men is remarkably simple.
Listen.
“A big thing that everyone should do with their mates if they’re struggling is just give them someone to listen to.”
For Seth, supporting someone isn’t necessarily about having the perfect answer or knowing exactly what to say. He has seen first-hand how important it can be to simply give someone the space to talk.
He remembers a conversation with a mate who began opening up about things he had experienced.
By the end of the conversation, Seth realised his mate didn’t need someone telling him what to do. He needed somebody willing to hear him.
“He was really happy to just be able to speak about it.”
It’s a small action, but it says a lot about how Seth has taken what he learned through Top Blokes and started applying it in the world around him.
From being supported to supporting others
That’s also why Seth decided to take part in Lift the Load.
“I did Top Blokes, they’re a great organisation. And I really want to do this so I can give back to them a little bit after doing it myself.”
When a young man is given the opportunity to learn, talk, connect and build practical skills, those lessons stay with him, he uses them in his own life and to support his mates.
And then he chooses to help make that opportunity possible for someone else.
Throughout October, people taking part in Lift the Load are carrying a 10kg weighted vest for 50km.
The weight is deliberately visible. The reasons behind it often aren’t.
As Seth puts it, there are young men dealing with their mental health who feel like they don’t have somebody they can talk to.
By taking part and fundraising, Seth is helping Top Blokes continue creating spaces where young men can have those conversations, build practical skills and connect with people who will listen.
And when asked what he would say to somebody thinking about joining Lift the Load, his answer is simple:
“I’d definitely tell them to go for it.”
Seth has already experienced what that support can mean. Now he’s helping another young man get the same opportunity.
Support Seth’s Lift the Load challenge and help more young men access Top Blokes mentoring.
Or find out more about Lift the Load for the Mental Health and why people across the community are carrying the weight for young men’s mental health.
