The Hidden Struggle: What My Brother's Death Taught Me About Mental Health

By Gabriela Weiss Clarke, Head of Communications, PRCA

As Movember draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on why this cause matters so deeply to me. It's personal. It's about my brother Phillip, and it's about the countless others who struggle in silence.

The Brother I Lost

Losing Phillip was a devastating shock to my family. He was one of the warmest, funniest, and most generous people you could ever meet. He had friends all over the world, and wherever he went, someone would recognise him and have a story about how he'd made their day brighter. He was open, caring, and always the person who lifted others up.

That's what made his death so impossibly hard to comprehend. None of us ever imagined that he was struggling silently. The person who brought so much light to everyone else's life was battling darkness we never saw.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about my brother and the love and light he brought into my life. I miss him deeply.

What I've Learned Since

Since Phillip's death, I've learned just how complex and widespread mental health challenges truly are. I've learned that many suicides could be prevented with the right support and awareness. I've learned that the people who seem the happiest, the most outgoing, the most "together" can be the ones suffering most.

It's why I've spoken about Phillip's story through my TEDx talk, and why I continue to advocate for open conversations around mental health. If sharing our story helps even one person realise they're not alone, if it encourages one person to reach out for help, then Phillip's legacy continues to save lives.

Mental Health in the Workplace

This conversation extends beyond our personal lives into our professional ones. We spend the majority of our waking hours at work, yet workplace culture too often discourages vulnerability or admitting we're struggling. For men especially, there's still a pervasive expectation to simply "get on with it."

Creating psychologically safe workplaces isn't just good ethics, it's essential. When employees feel they can speak openly about their mental health without fear of judgment or career consequences, everyone benefits.

Leaders and colleagues alike need to create environments where checking in on each other is normalised, where taking a mental health day is as acceptable as taking a sick day for the flu, and where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let's Keep Talking

If you're struggling, please reach out. Talk to a friend, a family member, a professional. If you notice someone else struggling, start the conversation. Sometimes the simple act of asking "Are you okay?" and truly listening to the answer can make all the difference.

Phillip should still be here. But in his absence, I'm committed to ensuring that others get the support they need before it's too late.