Bee Maree

Why I’m walking One Foot Forward

Hello 🧡

This is my third year taking part in One Foot Forward for the Black Dog Institute, and each year the reason I walk grows deeper.

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

I started walking to honour my mum, Jillian, who lived with schizoaffective disorder for as long as I can remember and it impacted her every single day. Her kindness, strength, love, quirks and all her demons shaped who I am today and in ways that I’m still discovering.

Mum passed away 6 years ago, but she continues to be my guide and my “why” 🕊️🤍

Over the past three years my walk has also become personal in another way. I too have my own experience with mental illness. It’s not easy to be open + vulnerable about experiences with mental illness because of the associated stigma that unfortunately still exists.

However, I want to be open + vulnerable in the hope that it might empower others to share their own experiences, or at least help someone feel seen and a little less alone.

I have experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression for many years. However more recently, I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD following a traumatic experience at work and in a previous relationship.

It’s hard to put into words how debilitating + destabilising it feels when your own mind suddenly becomes a place that can feel unsafe and inescapable. Despite your best efforts to heal, recover and engage in all the supports available—it can feel like your brain is betraying you and you simply have no control over it. Some days it’s invisible; other days it stops me in my tracks.

Experiencing mental illness is one of those “if you know, you know” things and if you don’t, thank your lucky stars that you don’t understand.

Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. One in five Australians experience symptoms of mental illness every year. Every day, nine Australians die by suicide.

These numbers are not statistics to me—they are people I love, colleagues I’ve worked beside, and the community I belong to.

I’m walking in honour of my mum, Jillian 🕊️

But I’m also walking for myself and all the other people in my life that have their own stories of mental health challenges.

If my story resonates, please consider supporting this cause—whether by donating, sharing the page, or simply starting a conversation about mental health in your own circle.

Together we can create better mental health for everyone.

🧡For mum. For me. For all of us 🧡