Ending the Silence Around Suicide—One Mullet at a Time
This April I’m taking part in Mullets for Mental Health to support the Black Dog Institute.
On the surface, it’s a bit of fun—but for me, this is deeply personal. I’ve lost six people in my life to suicide—family, friends, and colleagues.
Here is a short video sharing the impact death by suicide has had on my life: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0556pb_-H3ykODuCOpld_0bmg
What has stayed with me is the silence.
The silence when people are struggling, and the silence that often follows—when those left behind are trying to process grief in a space shaped by stigma.
I’m taking part in this campaign to help break that silence.
If growing a mullet can start conversations, raise awareness, and encourage even one person to check in on someone they care about—then it’s worth it.
1 in 5 Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime, and too many people still struggle in silence. The work of the Black Dog Institute helps drive real change through research, education, and support.
If you’re in a position to donate, I’d really appreciate it.
And if not, take a moment to check in on someone—because you never really know who might be struggling.
My Impact
This year I have helped provide
5,549
people with suicidal thoughts help when they need it most.
Funds raised over the years
Thank you to my Sponsors
$200
Claire Biscombe
$200
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$185.58
Jess Zimmerman
Great job luke!
$185.58
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$110.36
Tristan Terry
Awesome work and a great cause! Mullet is coming along nicely.
$110.24
Anonymous
Legend - so proud
$108.24
Lisa
You are an incredible human being looking out for all others in the animal kingdom, Luke. Your message was heart-felt and I wish you & those dear to you well.
$108.24
K.dixon
You are amazing - reach for the stars ❤️
$108.24
Mum And Dad
Good luck, you'll look great.
$104.24
Sara Geale
$103.72
Jack I
$58.36
Chloe Lee-keys
$57.50
Sam O
❤️❤️
$57.50
Caitlin Berry
Grow you good thing!
$57.50
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$56.96
Nicole Blakey
Great cause Luke. You should be proud of your efforts to bring awareness in this area.
$56.96
Anna Ryan
Good on you Luke!
$56.96
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$56.96
Taylah Locastro
$56.96
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$56.96
Lyn Taylor
$56.24
Jodie Cawood
$56.24
Maggie Spring
Great cause Luke. In memory of those we have lost to this.
$56.24
Stef Walter
Go Luke!! Amazing effort, such a great cause. Really hoping to see that mullet on campus 😄 Good luck!
$56.24
Anonymous
Well done Luke - a very worthy cause.
$56.24
Sophie S
Thank you for raising awareness about suicide & mental health ❤️
$56.24
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$56.24
Breanna Achterbosch
$56.24
Lindi
What you’re doing is amazing. Keep championing for the friends you’ve lost and to help make sure we don’t lose anyone else. And you never know - a rainbow mullet might become your new personality!!
$56.24
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$54.99
Jodi Sita
Fantastic to see you reach your stretch targets- your doing a great job at communicating the importance of this and the impact it can make. Well done.
$54.99
Flowerfolk Farm
So proud of you Luke xx
$54.99
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$54.24
Yvonne Van Der Vliet
VIC Well done again Luke on choosing a deserving charity 😘
$54.24
Andy King
$52.92
Zoe
$52.92
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$52.92
Amanda Hallinan
Luke , you are a legend. Hope you reach your goal for such a worthy cause. Xxx
$52
Ado
Please don’t get a rainbow mullet 🤞🤞
$52
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$52
Katie
Amazing cause Luke, thanks for shining a light on mental health.
$52
Nicky Scholvin
$52
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$52
Shujie Li
Sending love to you and to the families who have been affected by suicides.❤️
$52
Watt Wizard's
Great cause mate!
$52
Alida
Always were a legend x
$52
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$50
Frank
Keep it growing Luke
$50
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$44.96
Adam
$44.96
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$34.24
John Blackmore
Good work Bendle! Thanks for shining light on such an important cause! 💙
$34.24
India
$29.24
Greg
$29.24
Anonymous
$29.24
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$28
Kassady
you’re doing something really special here, super proud of you! ☺️
$28
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$27.21
Julie & Lloyd
Well done Luke 🤩
$25
Adi
Go rainbow anyway!!! Will bring smiles.
$25
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$25
Chelsea
Xoxo
$24.96
Sarah Bibby
$24.96
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$24.24
Sarah Hutchinson
$24.24
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$24.24
Sam Bendle
$24.24
Jason Baldwin
Well done x
$24.24
Anne Albon
Well done Luke, looking forward to seeing your new hair cut.
$23.50
Liz Toohey
$22.34
Jenny Nicholls
VIC
$22.34
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$22.34
Mary Huynh
Amazing job Luke! Can't wait for the rainbow mullet
$22.34
Safety Mate Matched Contribution
$20.50
Gracey X
Such an important cause, Luke. Can’t wait to see the new do! Gracey x
$20
Scott Lacey
$18.24
Lily Smith
What in incredible cause, well done Luke 💙
$14.24
Katie Langton
$11.41
Susan Carr
Big love
My Updates
Mullet cut, now time to grow baby
Saturday 18th Apr
Two stretch targets exceeded - WOW -
Wednesday 8th Apr
🚨 DOUBLE DONATIONS ARE LIVE — TODAY ONLY 🚨
Right now, every donation to my Mullets for Mental Health fundraiser is being DOUBLED thanks to Safety Mate.
That means:
👉 $20 = $40
👉 $50 = $100
👉 $100 = $200
This is one of those rare moments where your donation has twice the impact for mental health support through Black Dog Institute.
We’ve already smashed the original goal (still blows my mind)… and now we’re pushing towards $1500 — and beyond 💥
And just quietly… if this somehow reaches $5000
I’m going full rainbow mullet 🌈😂
So if you’ve been thinking about donating — this is the moment.
Once the matched funding is gone, it’s gone.
👉 Donate here: https://www.mulletsformentalhealth.org.au/fundraisers/lukebendle
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Where to from here?
Wednesday 1st Apr
I asked my mate ChatGPT to predict the 3 and 6 week mullet progression… this is what we might be in for 😅
Now let’s see how much hair I can grow, how much silence we can break, and how much we can raise.
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