Jono's Story

Hi, my name is Jonathan Hart. My mates call me "Jono" for short. I'm a South Australian-based entrepreneur and community connector who experienced suicide distress in 2014/15.

And were it not for my father's care and concern, in some of the toughest times of my life, I would never have made it through the 9 months of on-again, off-again thoughts of not wanting to be alive.

I recently asked my Dad, during a period of reflection, why, through that nine-month period, he had chosen to spend every second or third day walking with me on the beach, just listening, as I expressed my thoughts, feelings and emotions.

"I did it because you needed it”, was my father’s response.

“You needed to talk,” he added. “That was what was helping you”.

And, like so many other men who struggle with suicide distress, it's a conversation that can help. That can be with a counsellor, a loved one, a community member or a mate, when it matters.

This is the driver behind GLASS EMPTY & The Whisperer Team - knowing that when someone is struggling with distress, a problem shared can be a problem halved.

A conversation can save a life.

And so with the GLASS EMPTY Signal, the coasters, the posters, the training and the community of "Whisperers", we're building a movement that people can rely on in their time of need.

One that reminds us of the inherent goodness within us all.

So how did I get into this?

After recovering from my own distress, I travelled Australia in 2017 with my wife at the time and our four kids, and filmed the inside of some classic and iconic pubs on the journey. I created the website www.greataussiepubs.com.au

When Covid came in 2020 and people in pubs were not allowed to drink standing up, unable to sing or dance due to mask and social distancing mandates, I realised I could, and needed to, do more for mental health support in pubs. 

I created the Suicide Prevention Checklist for Publicans - to know what phrases to look out for so they can support someone masking suicidality. Then I came up with the GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Signal.

By taking an upturned glass and putting a coaster on its arse, at participating pubs, clubs, bars, cafes and breweries, it signals that you are feeling suicidal.

Or, the coaster can be discreetly handed to a bartender, aka "Pub Whisperer", or someone in the venue, who can start the process of getting them to safety.

It's a way in to the conversation when the words are too difficult to say and you want to let someone know you need help to feel safe again. Or, it's a way to start the conversation if you're concerned about someone who may be in distress.

It's a people-centric movement that says no one needs to be alone during times of distress.

It bridges the gap between a stranger struggling with suicidal thoughts and a caring local.

And it dispels the myth that it's weak to talk about how you feel during those times of distress. By having it in pubs and other venues it tells the community that it's ok to ask for help.

My Why: Save lives.
Outcome: Reducing suicide in Australia.
How: GLASS EMPTY, a suicide prevention initiative in pubs.
 
What is GLASS EMPTY?
GLASS EMPTY is a signal that prevents suicide. One conversation at a time.

By turning your glass upside down and placing a coaster on it's upturned base, you are alerting people to the fact that you are experiencing suicide distress.

Sometimes expressing the words about how we are feeling, when struggling with thoughts and feelings of wanting to end one's life, is difficult to do.
This is where GLASS EMPTY can help.

Either by showing the signal, handing a GLASS EMPTY coaster to someone whom you'd like to discuss your feelings with, or being given a coaster by someone concerned about you, it can start a lifesaving conversation.

With the support of local Whisperer Teams we can see genuine grassroots community-supported suicide prevention solutions make a difference and reduce the amount of lives lost to suicide.

What I’ve learned – and what I want others to know: 

1. Challenge the Aussie vernacular. When you hear someone say, "She'll be right mate", gently inquire "But are ya alright, mate?" 
   Lean in. Listen. If their response worries you, be brave enough to ask again, "are you sure?"  or "do you need to talk about it?" 
   Changing how we speak could save lives. 
   
   
2. Community supporting community is the way forward.  When friends, family or colleagues aren't available, we need to know that community can step in. That’s where GLASS EMPTY and The Whisperer Team can help. I believe that when communities come together, we’ll see fewer suicides – here and around the world. As the saying goes: when I is replaced with we, "illness" becomes "wellness".
3.  If you're struggling, remember you've survived every day so far. Keep going. My 98-year-old grandmother always said: "If you're going through hell, keep going". 
   Reach out to someone you trust – a friend, a colleague, a family member, a Pub Whisperer, a counsellor, your doctor or a helpline. People care and you are not alone.  
   
   

Suicide intervention is a skillset everyone ought to know. Being trustworthy, respectful, kind, and a good listener can make all the difference. You don’t need to be qualified to have a chat. Sometimes just showing up and starting the conversation is enough.