“What Are You Going to Do Now?” Matt Caruana on Surviving Suicide and Finding Purpose

Content warning At 16, Matt Caruana attempted to take his own life. He survived, acquiring a complete spinal cord injury and becoming a wheelchair user. While recovering in hospital, Matt was consumed by the same belief that had followed him for years: that he was worthless. Then, during a train ride with his mum, a complete stranger asked him a confronting question: “What are you going to do about it now?” That moment did not instantly remove Matt’s depression, but it changed the direction of his life. Instead of asking “Why me?”, he began asking “What now?” In this deeply honest conversation with Angus O’Loughlin, Matt shares the reality of surviving a suicide attempt, adjusting to life with a spinal cord injury and slowly rebuilding his identity. He explains why meaningful connection matters, what parents can do when a young person is struggling and how opening up helped transform his relationships with his family and friends. Matt also discusses finding purpose through sharing his story, breaking a Guinness World Record and becoming a competitive para climber. For Matt, strength is no longer about appearance or external validation. It is about contributing to other people and making hope visible. This episode explores suicide prevention, men’s mental health, disability, resilience, spinal cord injury, wheelchair life, para climbing and the power of choosing to move forward one day at a time. Matt’s experience of attempting suicide at 16 Acquiring a complete spinal cord injury and becoming a wheelchair user The belief that he was worthless and why he rejected support The stranger whose confronting question changed his direction Why being present is essential when supporting someone Matt’s advice for parents of young people experiencing mental health challenges Using a traffic-light system to begin difficult conversations How vulnerability strengthened Matt’s relationships Rebuilding independence following a spinal cord injury Finding meaning by contributing to other people Breaking a Guinness World Record to “make hope visible” Discovering competitive para climbing Why Matt hopes to compete at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games How Matt defines his worth today This episode contains detailed discussion of suicide, suicidal thoughts and mental ill-health. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or access its 24/7 online chat. If life is in immediate danger, call 000. Lifeline crisis support You can also contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or speak with a counsellor online. Beyond Blue support Follow Matt on Instagram: @MattShares.