Gus Worland On Why Gotcha4Life Exists
Gotcha4Life Foundation is a health promotion charity founded in 2017 by media personality Gus Worland, after the heartbreaking loss of a close friend and mentor to suicide.
“I still remember the phone call like it was yesterday. It was one of those calls you never want to have. My friend, my mentor, my father figure, had taken his own life. He had always been there for me – teaching me how to swim, giving me dating advice, supporting me in my early career. He was the guy everyone turned to for answers. So why would someone like that take his own life?”
“After the funeral, everyone kept asking, ‘Did you know? Did anyone know?’ But the answer was always the same: ‘I thought he was ok.’ He had everything on the outside, but his inner struggles were invisible, and he never reached out for help. That understanding hit hard and made me realise how stigma stops so many from speaking up when they're struggling.”
Months later, Gus decided to share his story on air while hosting Triple M breakfast radio. “Usually, we talked about sports and shared jokes, but that day I opened up about my grief. It was hard. My voice broke as I fumbled through my story. But then the phones started flashing – people wanted to share their stories too. In that moment, I felt something powerful: giving people the space to talk can change everything.”
The conversation grew even bigger through the Man Up ABC documentary, where Gus explored the link between masculinity, social isolation and mental health challenges. “It showed how deeply men’s struggles can go unseen, and how vital it is to break down the stigma so people feel safe to speak up.”
As Gotcha4Life grew, the focus expanded beyond men’s mental health to mental fitness for everyone. “I realised the principles we’d uncovered – connection, vulnerability, building daily habits that support wellbeing – weren’t just for men. They’re for everyone. Families, schools, workplaces, communities – all of us can take small, daily actions that strengthen our mental fitness and create a culture where asking for help is normal.”
That became the reason for expanding Gotcha4Life.
“I wanted to help create a world where everyone has a mate they can rely on, someone they can open up to without fear. A place where honest conversations about life’s challenges are part of everyday life. We're shifting the focus to mental fitness – inspiring all of us to take daily action, to do things differently and stop losing beautiful humans to suicide. Because suicide can be prevented – and the more we talk, the more lives we can change. I won’t stop until we achieve one goal – zero suicides.”
“I wish I could tell every person struggling that it’s okay to reach out, that it’s okay to say you’re not fine. No one should carry grief, fear or pressure alone. We can make seeking help a normal part of life and create a village where people feel seen and supported. Talking about mental health, grief or just when things aren’t going well isn’t easy. I get it. But every time I share my story, I’m reminded that the people who need to hear it most are listening. And every time someone reaches out to a friend, a parent, a teacher or even a stranger, that’s hope in action.”
You can help equip more people to live
Every donation powers Gotcha4Life to keep developing and delivering life-changing programs and initiatives to equip more people with the mental fitness skills to live.
