Logan hope ambassador and poet, Justin Geange has been nominated as one of Logan City Council’s Logan Legends – an initiative that celebrates the everyday heroes of Logan.
From Logan’s psych unit to a hope ambassador, Justin Geange is a man on a mission – a mission to bring hope to Logan.
Diagnosed with bipolar type 2, Mr Geange has navigated the complexities of mental illness for years.
“I’ve been a visitor and an occupant of the Logan psych unit, but those experiences have shaped my purpose. But I’m still standing, baby, and that’s not sad, that is absolutely flippin’ awesome,” he said.
His walk through darkness helped him find his mission in life – to help others find the light.
“I dedicate myself to helping people who are doing it tough,” he said.
“Mental health and suicide prevention, that’s where my heart is. It’s personal, I’ve lived it.”
Today, the father of two works as a field officer for MATES in Construction, a national organisation dedicated to suicide prevention in the building industry.
His role is as practical as it is powerful and he visits construction sites, delivers training, and starts life-saving conversations.
“One of the ways we start the conversation is through toolbox talks where we remind people what we already do well in our industry, helping a mate out,” he said.
“If someone is struggling with a heavy load, we jump in. But what if that load is emotional? What if it’s mental? We teach people how to notice, how to ask, and how to connect their mates to help.”
Mr Geange’s work is deeply personal, and every conversation he has and every site he visits is a chance to hold hope for someone else who is struggling.
“Yesterday a guy pulled me aside during a break. He was struggling with family stuff and using unhealthy coping strategies. We sat, we talked, and I reminded him he’s not alone. That’s what this is about, creating space for people to be vulnerable,” he said.
Mr Geange’s passion for connection doesn’t stop at the job site. He is also a poet, using slam and bush poetry to process his own experiences and reach others.
In 2025, Justin published a book of bush poetry titled ‘Holding Hope for my MATES’ and generously donated 50 per-cent of the profits to MATES in Construction.
“Poetry’s been a godsend for my mental health. It gets the thoughts out of my head and onto the page,” he said.
“My poems are about grief, loss, mental health, but they always end in hope. Because I’m still here to deliver them.”
In 2025, Mr Geange won the Logan heat of the Australia Slam Poetry for the third consecutive year. He’s also won best modern poem at the National Bush Poetry Championships and came third in the humorous original poem section.
Mr Geange says his creative journey began unexpectedly after he responded to a poem shared on a podcast.
“It felt good to get my thoughts out,” he said.
“Now I write a poem a week. Slam poetry when I’m cranky, bush poetry when I’m reflective. It’s cathartic.”
Whether he’s standing on a construction site, reciting a poem, or simply being a neighbour, Mr Geange is living proof that even in the toughest times, there is always hope.
“I hold that hope for others,” he said.
“Because someone once held it for me.”
