Caitlyn Sampson Burnett

My reason 🩷

This October, Lachlan and I are both taking part in the Black Dog Institute - One Foot Forward fundraiser, walking 40km each to raise awareness and support mental health. I’m doing this for a few different reasons. I’m walking for myself, because mental health is something I’ve struggled with too. Anxiety and depression have played a part in my life, and I know how hard things can feel sometimes. But I’m also walking for my dad. My dad struggled with his mental health and sadly ended his life. Losing him has had a huge impact on my life, and mental health is something that will always be really important to me because of that. Mental health is also something that has been a big part of my family, and it’s something that has affected the people I love. Because of that, it is something I’ll always care about and advocate for. I think the idea that we have to keep everything to ourselves or pretend that we’re okay when we’re not needs to be talked about. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to talk, and it’s okay to ask for help. There are people struggling with their mental health every single day. Sometimes it’s the people right beside us, and we have no idea what they are going through. It is so important to be more open with the people around us and to feel comfortable sharing the hard times, not just the good ones. The stigma around talking about your feelings needs to go. Mental health support should be available to everyone, because everyone deserves to have somewhere or someone to turn to when they need help. So this October, we’re putting one foot forward for mental health. For ourselves, for the people we love, and for those we’ve lost to mental health. If you’d like to support us, there is a link to donate towards One Foot Forward and help me reach my goal. Sharing my fundraiser or simply checking in on someone you love can also make a difference. Lachlan also has a link to his One Foot Forward fundraiser which he’ll be sharing if you would also like to support him on this journey. This is something that means a lot to us and we appreciate all your support. I love you Dad 🩵 Share