Sara Nella

💙 sometimes the smallest conversations matter more than we realise.

💙 A gentle content note: This post touches on psychological distress and suicide prevention. Please take care of yourself when reading. Last night, I had a dream that someone I care about was experiencing significant psychological distress. I woke feeling incredibly unsettled, and that feeling stayed with me. It reminded me of something I've always believed. I'd rather answer a text or phone call in the middle of the night than have someone feel they have nowhere to turn. You don't need to have the right words. You don't need to pretend you're okay. And you don't need to navigate your darkest moments alone. Sometimes people tell us they're struggling. Sometimes they don't know how to put what they're experiencing into words. And sometimes we simply don't know what someone else is carrying. Check in with your people. Make space for honest conversations. Listen without judgement. And if you're the one struggling, please know that reaching out is not a burden. It's one of the reasons I'm walking for the Black Dog Institute's One Foot Forward challenge. 💙 Suicide prevention is about connection, compassion, reducing stigma and making sure people can access support when they need it. A conversation doesn't have to fix everything to make a difference. You matter. Your story matters. And support is available. 💙 If you or someone you care about needs support: 💙 Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 💙 Black Dog Institute – Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resources https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. Share

The final week 💚

More than just the kilometres 💙 With one week of One Foot Forward to go, I've walked over 120km in designated walks, exceeded my original 100km goal and surpassed my $350 fundraising target for the Black Dog Institute! What started as a challenge to raise awareness and funds for mental health has become something far more personal than I anticipated. The first half of this year was particularly difficult, with unexpected losses, changing circumstances and a lot to navigate, both personally and professionally. There were times when I felt emotionally and physically exhausted, while life continued moving around me. Work, two busy boys, family commitments and all the usual chaos of everyday life. Because apparently life doesn't come with a pause button! Something I've reflected on this year is how difficult it can be to recognise when someone is struggling. People can continue working, parenting, laughing and showing up for others while quietly navigating challenges that aren't necessarily visible. And when you're often the person others turn to, it isn't always easy to acknowledge that you might need someone yourself, let alone ask for help. Sometimes the people or connections we've come to rely on aren't available to us in the ways they once were. Circumstances change, and we find ourselves having to navigate things differently, whether we're ready to or not. For me, that meant sitting with some pretty uncomfortable feelings, learning to navigate things I hadn't expected and accepting that some things were simply outside my control. There were moments when I really struggled. I've always been someone who gets on with things, even when life gets difficult. But this year I've had to learn to give myself some of the same care, patience and understanding I've spent so much of my life giving to others. I couldn't control everything that happened, but I could choose what I did next. And I'm proud that I chose to invest in myself, challenge myself and keep working towards being the best version of me, for myself, my boys and the people I care about. Along the way, I've been grateful for the people who've stepped up, made me laugh and been there in ways that have genuinely mattered. After more than 18 years working and volunteering in mental health, and seeing the impact of mental health challenges, trauma, addiction and suicide in the lives of people I love, supporting the Black Dog Institute was something I genuinely wanted to do. In many ways, One Foot Forward has become a little celebration of that journey. I've genuinely loved walking throughout October. Some days it's been my little sanctuary. Fresh air, headphones on, music ridiculously loud and some time that's just for me. Other days, I've loved having family or friends alongside me, sharing conversations, laughter and simply enjoying being together. Whether walking alone or with others, it's become something I've genuinely looked forward to. A chance to appreciate the little things, enjoy where I'm at and make time for myself. As I head into this final week, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated, shared my posts, encouraged me, checked in or simply taken the time to follow my journey. I've genuinely loved sharing this experience with you all, and your kindness has meant more than you probably realise. I'm proud of the kilometres and the fundraising, but I'm also pretty proud of myself. This year has thrown a lot my way, and while I haven't always handled everything perfectly, I've kept showing up, putting in the work and making choices that feel right for me. Life certainly isn't perfect, and I don't have everything figured out (does anyone?! 😂), but I'm enjoying where I'm at and looking forward to what's ahead. One more week to go! 💙👟 Share

103 km down, 13 days still to go, and i'm not finished walking! 💚👟

It's only October 18th, and I've officially exceeded my 100 km One Foot Forward goal in support of the Black Dog Institute! Having my eldest beside me as I reached my original 100 km goal this morning made the milestone even more special. ❤️ Looking back over the past 18 days, though, it's been about much more than the kilometres. Between work, family and the everyday demands of life, prioritising my own needs doesn't always come naturally. These daily walks have become one way of making that space for myself, and something I've genuinely come to value. I also recognise how much the encouragement and support of family, friends, colleagues and this wonderful community have contributed along the way. I'm incredibly grateful for that, particularly knowing that meaningful support and connection aren't always available or easy to access for everyone. Loneliness isn't always about the absence of people. Sometimes it's about missing the connections, sense of belonging or stability that once gave life meaning. We can be surrounded by people and still feel incredibly alone. And sometimes, even when support is available, finding the words to express what we're experiencing can be difficult. That's why organisations like the Black Dog Institute are so important. Through research, education, mental health resources and access to psychological support, they help build understanding, reduce stigma and support people experiencing mental health challenges. To everyone who has donated, shared my posts, encouraged me or simply cheered me on, thank you! Your support has meant so much. ❤️ Because this challenge has never been just about reaching 100 km.  It's about raising awareness, encouraging conversations and recognising the importance of mental health and connection, both individually and within our communities. One foot forward. At our own pace, in our own way, and with support that meets us where we are. 💚 Share

Finding space along the way 🖤

This week has been a reminder of just how much we can carry, often without realising it. Between juggling work, parenting, holding space for my clients, supporting a loved one who is living with depression, and keeping up with everyday life, my mind has felt particularly crowded. Some days there just doesn't seem to be enough time, energy or headspace for everything and everyone, let alone a little time for myself. My daily walks have become something of a sanctuary. There's something about putting on my headphones, turning up the music and finding my own rhythm. For a little while, the noise of everyday life fades into the background. It's just the fresh air, the music and one foot in front of the other. Sometimes I use that time to think things through or process how I'm feeling. Other times, I just want to switch off completely and enjoy not having to make decisions, find solutions or figure out what comes next. I've been aiming for 5 km a day as part of One Foot Forward, although fitting that in around everything else hasn't always been straightforward. Some days I've managed a long walk, while others have involved squeezing in movement wherever I can. And some days, even getting out the door has felt like another thing on an already long to-do list. But once I'm out there, I'm usually glad I made the time. Supporting someone you love through the impacts of depression can bring a whole mix of emotions. Love, concern, frustration, sadness, hope and sometimes a sense of helplessness. You can care deeply, want to understand what they're experiencing and do whatever you can to support them, while knowing there are things you simply can't change. Their story isn't mine to share, but being alongside them is part of my story too. It's one of the reasons One Foot Forward is so personal to me. I've spent many years supporting others, both personally and professionally, but that doesn't mean I always find it easy to balance being there for the people I care about with looking after myself. Sometimes I get caught up in everything that's happening around me and forget to make that space. I think that's what I've appreciated most about walking this week. It doesn't change what's happening around me, and I don't necessarily come home with everything figured out. But I've had some fresh air, listened to some good music and given myself a bit of breathing room. Sometimes that's enough. So I'll keep putting one foot forward. Some days with a head full of thoughts, other days with the music ridiculously loud, and sometimes simply because I need a moment where nobody needs anything from me. The kilometres are adding up, but it's the space I've found along the way that has meant the most this week. 🖤 Share

My why 💚

This October, I’m putting One Foot Forward for mental health. 🖤 This cause is personal to me. Mental health and wellbeing have been part of my world for as long as I can remember, growing up alongside family members experiencing mental health and wellbeing difficulties, including the impacts of addiction and suicide, supporting people I love through difficult times, and spending more than 18 years working and volunteering alongside people through some of their own difficult times. Through all of that, personally and professionally, I’ve learnt there is no single experience of mental health and no one right way to support someone. We are all different. Our culture, community, identity and life experiences shape how we understand wellbeing, how we cope, what connection looks like and what support feels right for us. I’m walking for all Australians who have struggled, for the people who love and support them, and for a future where asking for help carries no shame. Where people are listened to, understood and respected, and support meets people where they are. For my family, my friends, the people I’ve had the privilege of supporting, and the people I’ll never meet, this October, I’m walking with you. 🖤 Share

Facing the reality of stigma

One Foot Forward: 59km Down, 41km to Go ✌️💙 There's been plenty of walking, talking, laughing, and some really lovely moments with family and friends along the way. I'm truly enjoying the challenge, and every kilometre is another opportunity to raise awareness about something that means so much to me. But behind the kilometres, life is still happening. Someone I love dearly is currently experiencing significant psychological distress. Watching someone you care about go through this is incredibly difficult. But seeing them also face stigma, judgement, and a lack of understanding from those around them makes it even harder. It has been a very personal reminder of why mental health awareness, education, and suicide prevention matter so much. We often talk about the importance of supporting mental health. But when someone's symptoms, emotions, or behaviours don't fit our expectations of what mental illness or psychological distress should look like, compassion can quickly be replaced by frustration, assumptions, or judgement. Mental illness and psychological distress aren't always easy to recognise or understand. They can profoundly affect how someone thinks, feels, communicates, remembers, and responds to the world around them. Sometimes, the person experiencing it doesn't fully understand what's happening either. We don't have to understand everything someone is experiencing to treat them with kindness. We can choose to be curious rather than critical. We can listen rather than assume. We can recognise that what we see on the outside rarely reflects the full weight of what someone is experiencing internally. And for those supporting someone they love, I want to acknowledge that your journey can be heavy, too. It's completely okay to feel worried, confused, frustrated, or helpless, while still caring deeply about that person. Your feelings are valid, too. This is exactly why I walk. I walk for those living with mental illness, those experiencing psychological distress, those affected by suicide, and the families, friends, and communities walking alongside them. There is still so much work to do in reducing stigma, improving mental health literacy, and creating environments where people feel safe to seek help without fear of judgement. 59km down, at least 41km to go. One foot forward, one conversation at a time. ✌️💙 Share

Seven days in 💙

Lots of walking, lots of talking, plenty of laughs, and some really lovely time spent with family and friends along the way. The kilometres go by a lot faster with good company!

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Every contribution means a lot, and it all helps support Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide.

One week down, plenty more kilometres to go, and probably even more talking and laughing to come 🤭

One foot forward ✌️💙

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Day 1

Still recovering from a chest infection, and Melbourne’s lovely rain kept me indoors today. I still reached my daily minimum with a few laps around the office, a HIIT workout, and a kitchen dance party with the kids. Some days, putting one foot forward looks like moving wherever you can and dancing like nobody’s watching🖤👟 Share