Women Leading the Charge for Men’s Mental Health: Sydney Showground to Host New ‘Men’s Mental Wellness’ Event
Announcement posted by Markson Sparks! 02 Mar 2026
Sydney, Australia — A powerhouse team of women and men are stepping forward to champion men's mental health this month, announcing the inaugural MANSHIFT Men's Mental Wellness Event to be held at Sydney Showground on Sunday 15 March 2026.
Designed to break stigma, open conversations, and connect men with vital resources, the event is a partnership between Dorcey Rutter, Milly Baker and Ian Williams, the founder of Good Men Helping Good Men who recently launched a men's mental fitness App to help connect men and tackle the growing mental health crisis.
Every day in Australia, nearly 7 men take their own lives. Men account for 75% of all suicides—a silent epidemic fueled by disconnection, outdated masculinity, and the lack of safe spaces to speak up.
Says Ian Williams, "This day is about reminding blokes that we all struggle, even elite athletes. What matters is having the courage to speak up, check in, and back each other."
"Through guided experiences and real, no-BS conversations, we're giving men tools for lasting change — built around our 5 Pillars of Fulfilment: health, inner work, relationships, brotherhood, and purpose."
The day will also feature contributions from a range of individual ambassadors and facilitators, including the face and ambassador of the event Giants AFL player Jake Stringer who will share his story.
Dorcey Rutter works at the intersection of neuroscience, therapy, and leadership and says that the upcoming event at Engie Stadium next month is designed to meet men where they are, without labels, pressure, or the need to identify as struggling.
Motivated by her own family's experiences and a commitment to community connection, Rutter says the event is about "giving men permission to not be okay — and giving families tools to recognise when something's wrong."
"MANSHIFT was created for men who don't see themselves in traditional wellbeing spaces. This isn't about talking more — it's about giving men practical ways to regulate their nervous system and reconnect with themselves, without pressure, labels, or the need to explain," she adds.
Milly Baker is a yoga teacher, crystal bowl sound practitioner, and business owner dedicated to helping people reconnect with themselves. Her passion for men's wellbeing stems from recognising how rarely men are given permission to slow down and simply be.
Key Findings on Mental Health in the AFL (2024-2025)
· Surge in Support Seekers: The number of former players seeking mental health support through the AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) rose by 23.6% in 2024 compared to 2023.
· Doubled Consultations: From 2021 to 2024, the number of former players accessing mental health experts doubled.
· High-Profile Cases: The 2024-25 period was marked by high-profile, honest admissions from players like Geelong's Bailey Smith, who spent four weeks in a psychiatric facility in 2024 due to a "dark time" involving injury and identity loss.
· Alarming Death Rates: Since 2020, 67% of AFL player deaths under 50 were either by suicide or not publicly explained, a figure five times higher than the national proportion for men.
*AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
From ice baths to breathwork and straight-talking conversations, participants will be guided through what it actually means to build stress resilience, emotional fitness, and connection with good men around you.
To register, visit:
To learn more about the GMHGM App, visit www.gmhgm.com
TO JOINTLY INTERVIEW DORCEY RUTTER, MILLY BAKER, AND IAN WILLIAMS email Marta@marksonsparks.com or call Marta Wiacek on 0409 291 785 or email Max@marksonsparks.com or call Max Markson 0412 501 601