Anxiety, depression and suicide have altered our lives forever.
Cofounders Troy Hughes and Richard Udinga are great long term friends.
They each have their own story - stories which intersects in many ways.
The effects of anxiety, suicide and depression are one such intersection.
Leading to our commitment to "I'm Hear 2 Hear".
My story: Troy Hughes
I am a businessman, husband, father, mentor and a grandad of 3 little ones that I adore.
My road toward deep depression began with the loss of an unborn baby almost 30 years ago. I am 50+ and I grew up in an era where I was conditioned to "Shove it down".
So what did I do when we lost our sick baby, I shoved it down (the pain, guilt, heartbreak, hate and shame). As a result I developed some really unhealthy coping mechanisms. Dopamine became my friend, I sought any distraction from being still with my thoughts.
Quite unconsciously I moved away from love. In fact I shut down love almost everywhere - whilst pretending I was okay.
This is what I call “functional depression”, function at work, functional in my social life, functional at home but absent from any connection.
It was a few years later when I actually did some work on my mental health that I understood that loving so deeply scared the shit out of me.
The next 20 years are a bit of a blur, life, family, building a business, renovating a few houses and continuing to work on my positive mental health.
Then one day I get a call from a mate Paul, who was living overseas at the time. He asked me if I could schedule a video call as he was struggling.
It turned out he wasn’t just struggling but was in fact stuck geographically between planning to kill himself and being able to implement that plan.
He had a large amount of emotional turmoil which we talked through, giving him some peace of mind. Following weekly calls, fast forward a few weeks - less medication, more meditation and he was well regulated "almost happy".
His situation had barely changed but his attitude and emotional state had shifted almost 180 degrees.
From there I created a men's group which runs fortnightly in Kewdale, where we provide an opportunity for men to speak freely about and better understand their challenges.
Being able to assist a mate in a time of need was natural for me but is unnatural for many.
This unwillingness to reach out in a time of need was evident in 2025 when I lost a family member to suicide.
It was then I knew that "'Here to Hear" was necessary.
Necessary for me as an expression of who I am
Necessary as a bridge for people in need, those who may unwilling to speak to some of the amazing mental health providers out there -may just may be willing to speak with someone a little closer to them, someone they trust.
One man cannot do this alone and I am in fact not alone, but the world needs hundreds of thousands or us.
Join the cause, stand for your community (as big or small as that is) and register as a "Here 2 Hear Hero today"
My Story - Richard Udinga
For many years, I believed I was doing everything life expected of me. I built a successful business, owned a home, became a father and created financial stability. From the outside, it looked like I had it all.
But inside, something was missing.
I had never been taught about emotional intelligence, self-awareness or mental wellbeing. I had followed the path I thought I was meant to follow, yet I did not feel fulfilled.
Then everything changed.
A large public company collapsed while owing my business millions of dollars. After 14 years, everything I had built was suddenly at risk. At the same time, my relationship of 20 years ended.
At 42, I went from owning a home and factory with no debt to being jobless, single and living in my parents' back shed with my daughter.
The stress, anxiety, shame and uncertainty became overwhelming. I was fighting for my business in court, navigating the end of my relationship and trying to hold everything together.
When people asked if I was OK, I said yes.
I wasn't.
Eventually, I reached rock bottom. I felt hopeless, disconnected and alone. I did not know how to ask for help. More than anything, I needed someone who could listen without judgement and help me feel seen, supported and understood.
My search for a way forward led me to meditation, life coaching, men's work and personal development. For the first time, I found safe spaces where I could be honest about what I was carrying and release years of suppressed emotion.
It changed my life.
I began rebuilding slowly and honestly. I learned that healing is not instant. It takes time, patience and courage. Most importantly, it takes connection.
Then I lost a close friend to suicide.
I questioned whether I could have done more. I wondered whether encouraging him to join me on my journey might have changed the outcome. Grief left me carrying guilt and asking questions that could never be answered.
It also strengthened my belief that too many people suffer silently. We often do not understand the depth of someone's pain until it is too late.
We have become better at asking:
"Are you OK?"
But when someone honestly answers:
"No."
Many people do not know what to do next.
It is not because they do not care. They may never have been shown how to listen, sit with discomfort, respond with empathy or help someone find additional support.
That is why Here 2 Hear was created.
Together with my friend and fellow life coach, Troy, we developed a platform built on genuine connection, empathy and practical support.
Here 2 Hear creates a space where people can feel heard without judgement and where those who want to help can learn how to listen and respond with compassion, understanding and care.
Our vision is to reach people before they reach crisis point.
Because every person reached is connected to a family, a friend and a community.
Behind every statistic is a person.
Behind every person is a story that matters.
Here 2 Hear exists because lives matter. Stories matter. People need to know they are not alone, and those who care need guidance on how to help.
I believe we can do better.
We can listen better.
We can respond better.
We can connect sooner.
I am passionate about change because I know change is possible.
With compassion, courage and a willingness to truly hear one another, we can help more people find a way forward.