Steel Blue, proud supporting partner of Beyond Blue, has announced a new milestone in the partnership; $200,000 raised through the Blue Boots initiative.

Since the second year of the initiative, $10 raised from every pair of Steel Blue men’s and limited-edition ladies Blue Boots is donated directly to Beyond Blue. Over 27,000 pairs of Blue Boots have been sold to date which has allowed more than 4,100 people in Australia to receive support through the Beyond Blue Support Service. The Support Service provides practical support, advice and hope to people in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is entirely funded from donations.

Steel Blue joined forces with Beyond Blue in 2014 to make a difference to mental health in Australia with the launch of the Blue Boot initiative, particularly among tradies.

“The core to our partnership with Beyond Blue is educating as many Australians as possible, especially tradies, on mental health issues and contributing to the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service. Over the past five years, we have seen the Blue Boots form part of the uniform of Mental Health First Aid Officers in the mining and construction industries. They have also become a talking point to break the stigma around mental health. Steel Blue is incredibly proud of this milestone, being able to support over 4,100 people in Australia affected by anxiety, depression and suicide through our partnership with Beyond Blue,” says Steel Blue CEO Garry Johnson.

Tough working conditions can contribute to an increased risk of anxiety, depression and suicide rates. Workers in the construction industry are almost two times more likely to take their own lives than workers in other industries.

The latest statistics show that this year alone, 65,000 people will attempt suicide in Australia. Eight will die every day and six will be men. 82 men call an ambulance every day, due to suicidal thoughts or attempts.

“Steel Blue’s support helps Beyond Blue provide people across Australia with access to free, life-changing support, advice and information to help people achieve their best mental health,” says Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman.

“It’s fantastic to have Steel Blue’s continuing support for our work in the community and smashing the stigma in their industry.”

Beyond Blue’s  Support Service provides counselling and referrals 24/7  more than 170,000 times each year.

Steel Blue is proud to support Beyond Blue and the mental health of all people in Australia.

Partnership milestones

• 2014: Partnership started with the release of the men’s Southern Cross Blue
• 2017: Steel Blue expands the Beyond Blue range with the limited-edition Ladies Southern Cross Zip blue boot
• 2018: reached milestone of $100,000 raised for Beyond Blue Support Service
• 2019: reached milestone of $200,000 raised for Beyond Blue Support Service
  5-year partnership anniversary
  Steel Blue Men’s Southern Cross Blue boots featured on the Channel 9’s 2019 Season of “The Block”