Charlotte Waerner

One foot forward

I am taking part in One Foot Forward because mental health is something I personally struggle with. It is something that has not only been a part of my own life but those around me, and because of that, this cause holds a very special place in my heart. Living with mental health struggles has shown me that you never truly know what someone is going through. There can be days where everything looks completely normal from the outside, while internally you may be dealing with thoughts, emotions and challenges that nobody else can see. I know what it feels like to struggle quietly. I know that mental health isn't always something you can simply "get over", and I know how important it can be to have people around you who listen, understand and remind you that you aren't alone. That is one of the reasons I wanted to take on this challenge. Every kilometre I walk is a reminder that progress doesn't have to happen all at once. Sometimes, you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. There will undoubtedly be days throughout this challenge where 200 kilometres feels like a very long way. There will be days when I'm tired, when my body doesn't want to keep going, or when taking another step feels difficult. But I think there is something quite meaningful about that. Mental health journeys can feel like that too. Sometimes you don't know exactly how you're going to get through the next week, the next day, or even the next hour. But you keep going. You take the next step. And then another. One step at a time. This is my third year participating in One Foot Forward, and each year I am reminded of why mental health research, awareness, prevention and access to support are so important. The work of the Black Dog Institute helps contribute to a better understanding of mental health and the development of better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat mental illness. Supporting this work is incredibly important to me because I know firsthand just how much mental health can affect not only the person experiencing it, but also their family, friends and the people who love them. I also want this challenge to be a reminder that talking about mental health matters. There is still so much stigma surrounding mental illness, and sometimes people are afraid to speak about what they are going through because they worry about being judged, misunderstood or becoming a burden to someone else. I want to help create an environment where those conversations are easier. Where asking "Are you okay?" isn't just something we say, but something we genuinely mean. Where people feel comfortable saying "I'm not okay" without feeling ashamed. And where reaching out for help is seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Charlotte Share