Jess Mehegan

Why I’m walking this October

This October, I’m putting One Foot Forward for mental health.

I’m taking part because this is a cause that means a lot to me personally, and I wanted to share a little about why.

Growing up in a household affected by domestic violence, I learnt from a young age to be independent, keep busy and push through. As I got older, those coping mechanisms, along with perfectionism and the pressure to always achieve, eventually caught up with me.

While working in the healthcare, I burnt out. I put enormous pressure on myself to get everything right, worked increasingly long hours, and eventually my mental health deteriorated significantly.

The most important part of that story, though, is that someone noticed.

A colleague and very special friend kept reaching out, even when I was silent. Especially when I was silent. She was her usual lively, fun and wonderfully silly self, sending messages reminding me that I was loved and valued, and coaxing me out for sunrise walks and swims to get me moving again.

She never tried to fix me. There was no judgement, no pressure, just an incredible compassion and an ability to see me beneath it all. She noticed my sparkle was dimming and, rather than trying to relight it for me, she simply kept the door open until I was ready to find it again.

That experience taught me that we don’t always need the right words or the answers. Sometimes, showing up, checking in and reminding someone that they matter is enough.

I’ve also learnt that asking for help isn’t weakness, and that my worth isn’t measured by what I achieve or how perfectly I do things. The perfectionism is still a work in progress, but awareness is a good starting point!

So this October, I’m putting one foot forward, literally and metaphorically, to raise awareness and funds for mental health.

Whether you walk with me, follow along, donate, or simply take the opportunity to check in on someone you care about, every step counts.

Because sometimes, one small step or one person simply keeping the door open, can make a bigger difference than we realise.

Thank you for your support and encouragement! 🫶