Matt Newlands is a former police officer turned ‘R U OK? Day’ ambassador and mental health advocate.

During his decade in the force, Matt faced pain, distress and violence on a daily basis as he sought to protect the community. The job revealed an insight into the ugly side of humanity that only those who work in the emergency services can’t fully comprehend. It also led him to the worst day of his life and the unthinkable moment that will never leave him - being called to a suicide and finding it was his own mate...

The horror sent him on a downward spiral that got almost ended his own life - but with the love of family and friends at his back and the calling to do something about the state of mental health in his heart - he rose from the abyss to become the man he is today...A light in the darkness guiding others towards a brighter future.