Support my 31km challenge for mental health research!

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Kate

I’m walking in solidarity this October for Australians affected by mental illness and suicide. We are not alone.

Total Raised

$315

Total Distance

25km

Distance Goal

31km

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

Oh, the irony

I am currently an inpatient, receiving life saving TMS treatment that not everyone has access to. I know that TMS makes me tired, that it impacts my migraines but I also know that I’m committed to these 31km.

The journey so far...

I chose 31km as my distance because 1km a day is more than manageable and easy to make up if I miss a day. I hadn’t expected to miss 2 days so early on but it’s a reminder that life happens. That the unexpected can happen at any time, hence the term unexpected. I want this challenge to be as positive as possible but also realistic. Two days ago my husband and I had to make the decision to euthanise a healthy, 16 month old rescue dog due to reactivity and aggression. I cried from Friday night, all through Saturday. I forced myself outside today, knowing some time in the sun would feel good even if the before and after didn’t. I haven’t made up the full missed distance, but I’ve got time.

Walking for Mental Illness

It's no secret that I live with several chronic mental illnesses.

It's also no secret that I take every opportunity to talk about reducing the stigma that surrounds mental illness, that I take the opportunities to talk about my experiences in an attempt to breakdown the barrier.

I advocate for asking "are you OK" (and meaning it) on any day of the year.

Are some days tougher than others? Absolutely 100%.

I am fortunate enough to be able to access the treatments that I need to keep putting one foot in front of the other each and every day.

Not everyone is as fortunate as me, and despite being in a relatively privileged position for my own care, the stigma still exists.

And so in October, I am pledging to walk 31km (only 1km a day) to raise money for mental health research, education and support.