Support my 60km challenge for mental health research!

My walk is dedicated to the memory of my son, Patrick Smith

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Total amount

Total Raised

$1,760

Total Distance

55km

Distance Goal

60km

Support My Walk for Mental Health Research

Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of mental illness each year?

In fact, every day in Australia, 9 people will die by suicide.

Mental illness can be debilitating and can have a devastating impact on not only those living with it, but those around them.

This October, I’ll be taking part in One Foot Forward to help reduce the impact of mental illness and suicide.

I'm walking to raise funds for Black Dog Institute, so that they can put ground-breaking new mental health treatment, education, and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my walk.

Together, we can create better mental health for all Australians.

My Updates

Living Hell

What is your Living Hell?

For some it could be as simple as being late but for others it is more painful like loneliness, failure, addictions, financial crisis the list is endless. Usually, it is temporary but for others it can feel like it will last forever.

My living hell used to be traffic, my biggest stressor was driving anywhere in peak hour. But now my living hell is grief, traffic still stresses me but grief I cannot escape from. Grief makes me sad, angry, frustrated, exhausted and I get confrontational over the smallest issue, but I will be OK thanks to the support and understanding I receive from family and friends.

I only wish that I had recognised Patrick’s struggle, not just in December last year but in the months and even years leading up to that day. I know that on my own I would not have made much difference, but with a village we could have changed his living hell and maybe my son-in-law would still be with us.

My aim is to raise awareness of mental illness and to encourage us all to have awkward conversations, to be real and share our true feelings. How many times have you been asked “how are you” and you’ve said you’re well, or fine, when you’re not? We all do it, but we shouldn’t. We need to be comfortable being vulnerable. Sharing our true feelings may feel like you’re being a burden on your friends, but it might also enlighten them to do the same, so when you’re next asked how are you, answer with your truth even if it’s “I’m not ok but I don’t want to talk about it right now”.

One Foot Forward to a new understanding of each other