Steph Rietkerk

Total Raised

$523

Total Distance

60km

Distance Goal

100km

Support My Walk for Mental Health Research

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

This October, I’m taking part in One Foot Forward to help Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide.

I'm walking to raise funds for Black Dog Institute to 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

Well, well - you’ve made it to my page!

Thank you. It means you’re considering supporting my One Foot Forward challenge- and honestly, that means a lot. This October, I’m walking 100 km during Mental Health Month as part of a national movement showing the 1 in 5 Australians who experience mental illness each year that they are not alone. 

For most people, 100 km in a month might not sound like much. But I’ll be honest: I’m notoriously lazy. This challenge is my way of forcing myself to get up, get out, and move every single day-even when I really don’t feel like it. And while it might be tough at times, I know it’ll be for an important cause, I’ll raise awareness, and it’s good for my mental health!

Mental health is something I see people wrestle with every day… through my work, through family/friends, and sometimes in my own life. Modern life isn’t always kind to our minds. It’s not easy to stay upbeat, motivated, or even just “okay” all the time. Mental health support from our community is important during those times, removing the stigma and knowing how best to connect, and what services are out there can make all the difference to a person.

I want to recognise my incredible colleagues at Voyage Support, where I work in specialist mental health support. Every day, they work closely with people living with complex mental health needs,, showing up with compassion, expertise, and resilience - changing lives and keeping our communities safe.

Several of them are taking on their own One Foot Forward challenges too, walking distances that suit them throughout October. It’s powerful to see our team moving in solidarity for the broader community affected by mental illness and suicide. 

When it comes to mental health, there’s a lot of advice out there, some helpful, some not so much. That’s why I’m choosing to support evidence-based research: approaches that have been rigorously tested and shown to actually make a difference. I’m backing the Black Dog Institute, one of Australia’s leading medical research organisations focused on mental health. 

 If you’re able to donate, every contribution helps the Black Dog Institute put ground-breaking mental health treatment, education, and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most. 
And if you can’t donate right now, sharing this page or cheering me (and my Voyage teammates!) on means just as much. 

 Thank you for being here, for caring, and for helping me take this.. one step at a time. (Sorry, not sorry)

 xo Steph

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

$105

Alex And James Riozzi-smith ❤️

Go Stephy baby!!!!

$105

Anonymous

Go Steph!!

$66.73

Shane Sebbens

Keep those steps up, your doing great.

$55.95

Stephanie Cohen

🩷

$55.95

Susan And Graham

Well done, legend. Xx

$45.30

Deborah Gaskin

$45.30

Anonymous

Nice Challenge for ya, 100k looks easy to do in a month, i’m not sure if that easy though, but I reckon your up for the challenge, good luck Love

$23.81

Zach

Well done Steph! 👏

$20

Ruth Mcdermott

Go on steffi! Love u x

Thank you to my supporters

$55.95

Stephanie Cohen

🩷

$55.95

Susan And Graham

Well done, legend. Xx

$45.30

Deborah Gaskin

$45.30

Anonymous

Nice Challenge for ya, 100k looks easy to do in a month, i’m not sure if that easy though, but I reckon your up for the challenge, good luck Love

$23.81

Zach

Well done Steph! 👏

$20

Ruth Mcdermott

Go on steffi! Love u x