By Callum Ludwig
A touching fundraising event will be held in Yarra Junction on Saturday 20 July commemorating the life of a much-loved man.
Altitude Hair Studio is hosting its second Men’s Mental Health Charity Day, raising funds for the ‘Grab Life by the Balls’ movement.
Owner Danielle Marino said the event is in honour of her former partner Damien.
“In 2018 I lost my partner to suicide and going through this experience made me realise just how silent this illness is and how easily we are losing the battle against mental health, especially in men,” she said.
“The first event was held on Damien’s birthday on 22 July [2023], to celebrate his life and in the hope that his memory can make a difference to other men who may be fighting the same battle.”
The studio will be offering haircuts for men from 9am as well as holding a sausage sizzle, selling raffle tickets and hosting a display of vintage cars courtesy of Yarra Junction’s Mr Excited.
Ms Marino said the 2023 fundraiser was small but still a huge success as they raised over $4000 for a charity called Mongrels Men.
“We connected with lots of local men who helped make this year bigger and better and this year the charity we chose to raise funds for is the ‘Grab Life by the Balls’ movement as we not only want to hold this event to raise funds for them but also hope to connect local men with the organisation to try bring their amazing work closer to our local community,” she said.
“We need to normalise men discussing their mental health, we need to encourage men to check on each other and normalise seeking professional assistance when it’s needed, I do feel this is getting better and improving every year but we still have a long way to go.”
Bookings and walk-ins will be accepted, with bookings able to be made by contacting 0493 584 471. Attendees can also RSVP by clicking ‘Going’ on the ‘Men’s mental Health Charity Day’ event hosted by Altitude Hair Studio on Facebook.
For anyone who can’t attend but would like to donate, you can do so at donorbox.org/altitude-hair-studio-men-s-mental-health-fundraiser/fundraiser/danielle-marino.
Ms Marino said she has been doing hair a really long time and in that time I’ve seen clients in real mental lows and not feeling the best and they always leave with a weight lifted off them.
“This is a hugely personal experience that I share with the community when we host this event, I share it because I never want anyone to wish they were more aware, I never want anyone to learn about mental health the way I have,” she said.
“It’s important for both men and women to educate themself on mental health so that together we can curb the stats on mental health as a whole,”
“Supporting events like this might show someone close to you that you’re there to support them and that could make the world of difference.”
