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Michael Brennan

Out of the Shadows 2024

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

I want to start by thanking everyone for the incredible support that I have received in my fundraising efforts for Lifeline Australia.  This is a very personal issue for me. 

I have kept my own mental health battle in the shadows because people I trusted and paid by the hour for advice, told me to keep it to myself. For decades I was told; “in your line of work, no one wants to take advice from someone battling their own demons.” So, I did just that. I tried to bury it deep and pretend that my external experiences did not impact me.
 
This was of course the worst advice. The more I lived in denial and self-medicated with work, food and the good old Aussie fall back; booze, the more I hurt myself and the people whose lives intersected mine.  No one has been immune, friends, work colleagues but more importantly, those that I loved and who tried to love me in return. I hurt them more than anyone. I cannot undo a lot of that hurt and that becomes part of my future journey to accept accountability, seek forgiveness where required, and to allow healing to occur. The collateral damage from Mental Health is indiscriminate.

Now that I am embracing transparency and accountability for my life and my choices, pretending that life has not battered me seems a waste of time and completely disingenuous. If it impacts my career because I suffer bouts of anxiety and depression, have ADHD and Autism, then I am in the wrong career. Society has changed and we can now talk about mental health challenges not as a limitation, but as something that we can manage, mitigate, and live with just like we do with other personal attributes like being left-handed, a red head or a Broncos supporter. Fun fact – studies show that there are more people with ADHD in the world than there are red heads. 

I have always tried to bring humour to my life and my mental health journey is no different. When I threw out the challenge to dress like a 70s schoolteacher, I thought it might raise a few more dollars whilst bringing a bit of light to a very dark subject. I have been overwhelmed by the support from so many of you. This is either a topic you all feel equally as strongly about, or you just want to see my calves in long socks. Either way, I thank you. I have had to raise my fundraising goal four times, and I am bumping it to.$5K. Please dig deep to help this incredible cause. It makes such a massive difference. The $2K goal has been reached, I am on a quest to try to find men’s long socks and business shorts. You wouldn’t have thought it was that hard.

The journey out of the Shadows starts with you. Please don’t let anyone ever tell you to hide your struggle. The more you hide it, the more damage you do to yourself and those that you love. The world is full of amazing and supportive people who have your back. Be kind to yourself and remember ITS OK TO NOT BE OK!

I'm walking to remember those lost to suicide and help people in crisis

Tragically, every year over 65,000 Australians attempt to take their own life and over 3,000 Australians die by suicide. 

Lifeline receives over 1 million contacts from people in crisis each year.

Suicide has devastating impact on friends and loved ones.

For World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept 10), I will be taking part in Out of the Shadows and walking for the 9 people lost to suicide every day.

I'm walking to raise funds for Lifeline to provide suicide prevention services and support for Australians in need.

Please support my walk and sponsor me to help those in crisis.

Together, we can ensure that no one has to face their darkest moments alone.

My impact so far

I've raised $7,810 so far to answer 200 calls for Lifeline's crisis support hotline to connect and bring hope to people in crisis.

With your support, we can ensure that no person has to face their darkest moments alone.

200

Please support me to help people in crisis

Raised

$7,810

My Goal

$10,000

Select amount to donate

$39
$78
$117
$273
$546
$
Donate

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1,000

Sv Partners

Well done Michael. Such an excellent cause and the SV team are proud to support your efforts. Looking forward to seeing the photo evidence of the new SV business casual wear!

$546

Paula

So proud of you

$520

Explore Property Group

$500

Colliers Townsville

Good luck Brenno, great cause.

$420

Slattery

Brilliant cause mate in every way!

$288.02

Joshua Creamer

Great cause.

$288.02

Jim And Marilyn Mason

Move with purpose Michael😎

$211

Bruiser

Love ya brother.

$211

Sv Partners Sa Pty Ltd

Great work Michael.

$200

S & C

Good on you Michael

$200

Sv Partners Wa Pty Ltd

Might have to make the flight to Townsville to drop in to see the fashion in person Michael.. haha

$158.25

Genius People Pty Ltd

Good luck, very important issue and happy to donate

$158.25

Ian Dorey

Great work Michael- both the cause and your honesty!

$123.43

Dennis Offermans

great stuff Mike stating the obvious but mental health is so critical and it is become clear especially amongst our younger people that it is getting worse

$123.43

Anonymous

All the best Michael with the fund-raiser. Can’t wait to see the photo evidence..

$123.43

Stratos Legal

$123.43

David Nucifora

Great cause and well done to you Micheal!

$123.43

Mccoisty

Loving your writing as always, powerful topic and important for us all! x

$122.78

Stephen Mullette

Well done Michael

$105.50

John Winter

Of course I'm going to give money to get you to dress up like this!!!

$105.50

Carla Fairweather

$105.50

Patrick

$100

Elizabeth Balfour

bring back the classic business casual look to Townsville and that will bring some cheery faces!

$100

Marie Mcmullen

$84.18

Mark Wellard

Good work, Michael.

$83.29

Stuart Naylor

$82.29

Monica Tilbrook

Great work Michael bringing awareness to an important issue.

$82.29

Anonymous

Thank you for sharing your open LinkedIn post it’s raw and beautiful in its honesty and it is very much appreciated. Thank you for moving the discussion out into the open. It needs to be more ok to be out in the open when we’re not ok, it can save a life. Wishing you and yours all the very best for the future. Thanks, Sue.

$82.29

Sally Elliott

Well done you!

$82.29

Michael Klumpes

A worthy cause - great work Michael!

$82.29

Leanne Perry

$82.29

Narelle Ferrier

Brennan - no one walks the talk better than you!

$82.29

Bruce Gleeson

If you get the target, I will also throw in a pair of white socks for your new summer business attire. Well done mate.

$78

Choppa

$52.75

Jillian

Great work my lad

$52.75

Greg Finlay

Proof of mo and sideburns required.

$52.75

Fresh Eyes Financial Coaching

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s time to let the wall drop on the hiding and to allow the healing… saving lives in the process.

$52.75

Maria Larkin

Thank you for sharing and raising awareness Michael. You have the gift of the gab - not sure about the calves yet.

$52.75

Nexon Matched Donation

$52.75

Andrew Allemand

Good on you Michael!

$52.75

Casie Scott

Wonderful effort for a very worthy cause.

$52.75

Jonita Brennan

$52.75

Glenn Screech

Get em Brenno

$52.75

Bill Freeman

$50

Jess Keir

You go girl xx

$41.15

Michael Kopittke

Time and place of the big reveal

$41.15

Dan

Well done mate.

$41.15

Anonymous

$41.15

Jayne And Pete Newman

What an amazing cause. Sending all our love and support Michael. Super proud of you. Jayne, Pete and Jett x Always here. X

$41.15

Darren Finlay

Worthy work thankyou

$41.15

Mel Purcell

Great cause and thanks for sharing your story.

$41.15

Deam Cooper

Wishing you every success and I hope you reach your target of $5000

$41.15

Tanya Knauer

Great cause Michael . I hope you reach your goal .

$40

Stella Brennan

$26.38

Giselle Marise Simons

$26.38

Damon Boswell

$21.10

Jason Quabba

Amazing work Michael 👏

$10.55

Deb Lodder

Our Team