My Walk

My Progress

61km

My Target

63km

14/09/25 Day 5

Day 5 is for Family

I wish to enclosed a trigger warning for those that have a tough time navigating strong emotions around topics of grief and suicide.

Today I walked 9 KM for families impacted by suicide. I split my walk today; in the morning I walked with someone who helps make my house feel like a home and in the afternoon I walked while I spoke to multiple family members over the phone. I discussed historic events that impacted family dynamics, arrangements to bring family together, concerns around the wellness of others, emotions, and the concept of time.

Day 5 is for families who have had to navigate the difficult terrain of another family member’s suicidality or mental health decline and for families who have lost a loved one to suicide.

If you or someone you love may be experiencing symptoms of depression and suicidality, or if you are grieving the loss of a loved one, there is help and support out there; no one needs to walk through difficult times alone.

Beyond Blue: Contact 1300 224 636 for 24-hour support, information, and referrals for depression.
Lifeline: For personal crisis support, call 13 11 14.
The Griefline : Over the phone support for those navigating grief, contact 1300845745
MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34.
Medicare Mental Health gives advice and will connect you to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212.
MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours/7 or chat online.

13/09/25 Day 4

Day 4 Is dedicated to Mothers

I wish to enclosed a trigger warning for those that have a tough time navigating strong emotions around topics of suicide, maternity and child loss.

Today, a dear friend and a first time mother herself joined me on my walk. We discussed postpartum health, her baby, mental health, the importance of friendship, family and being supportive entities within one another’s lives.

On this day, I walked 9 kilometers to honor mothers lost to suicide, women struggling with physical and mental health issues before, during and after pregnancy, and all women who will experience postpartum depression at some point in their life. I also dedicate today to women who are trying to conceive, women who are navigating reproductive health struggles, women who have endured infant, child loss and miscarriage, and every individual’s motherhood journey.

One in five Australian women will experience symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety, suicide is the leading cause of maternal deaths in this country. Being a supportive presence to women before, during, and after pregnancy is pivotal for women's mental wellness and the prevention of maternal suicide. New mothers are a highly vulnerable demographic for a number of reasons, with only 6% of new mothers getting the psychological support post pregnancy they need. Barriers like perceived stigma, lack of knowledge, and systemic issues in healthcare prevent many women from getting the much needed care and support they deserve postpartum.

If you or a woman you love may be experiencing symptoms of depression, there is help and support out there. No woman should feel alone on their journey to and throughout motherhood.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): Call 1300 726 306 for counselling and information on perinatal mental health
Parentline: For advice and counselling as a parent, call 1300 301 300
Gidget Foundation Australia: Supporting the emotional wellbeing of expectant, new and potential parents
COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence): Visit their website to find a COPE Directory with helplines, resources, and services near you
Beyond Blue: Contact 1300 224 636 for 24-hour support, information, and referrals for depression.
Lifeline: For personal crisis support, call 13 11 14.

12/09/25 Day 3

Day 3 - For those within the umbrella of Emergency, Health and Social Services

Today I walked for those providing support and intervention, those receiving support and intervention, and for everyone in between. 10.92 KMs for the lives that encompass emergency, social, healthcare and support fields.

Over my career I’ve listened to hundreds of individuals stories around their hardships, mental health/physical health struggles and their grief. Having the opportunity to work within so many diverse sectors I’ve learnt no one is free from the risks or impacts of suicide, irrespective of age, status or health.

In Australia, healthcare workers and emergency service professionals are acknowledged as high-risk professions when it comes to experiencing PTSD, depression, anxiety and suicide.

Today is dedicated to caregivers, health workers, social workers, emergency responders, and everyone encompassing the work that supports another's life. You are all heroes.

11/09/25 Day 2

11/09/25 Out Of The Shadows Walk

Day 2 - R U OK? Today I walked for YOU.

Are you someone that has experienced the loss of someone to suicide?

Are you or someone you love ever experienced suicidal ideation or intent?

Has adverse life events, grief or the stress of life caused you to have a decline in your mental wellbeing?

Have you at some point in your journey questioned your significance and value within yours and others' lives?

I have and I know I am not alone.

Today I walked 10 KMs of my 63 KM weekly goal, for each and every individuals experience of the above, and I ask are you okay today? We all have had personal events that weigh on our mental wellbeing or have had periods in our lives where one’s personal wellness/mental health has not been at its best. This is why it’s important to be gentle with not only ourselves but those around us, because truly we do not know what anyone is going through.

R U OK day is about connectivity and proactive communication in the hope of suicide prevention.

As support systems to others, what can we do?

* Reach out

* Listen

* Ask the difficult questions

* Facilitate the uncomfortable conversations

* Tell someone they are loved and important

* Remind others they are not alone

* Ask others for help

* Encourage and practice acts of self-care

As individuals it’s important to understand our own capacity, be active in practices that promote our wellbeing, set healthy boundaries for ourselves and those around us and take accountability where we can for our own mental wellness, even if it feels wrong or selfish at times. Have you ever been told “you can’t pour from an empty cup”? Even though the saying seems cliché it rings true for many individuals, I personally have learnt the hard way of the ramification around pushing through, despite one’s body and mind telling you no. The significance of being honest when you need help at times is vital for you and for your community to provide aid, even if that comes with emotions of discomfort and shame. Today is for you, acknowledging your mental state, and reminding oneself that it’s okay not to be okay.

About 43% of Australians aged 16–85 have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives, and even if you aren’t apart of this statistic people you love and care for might, so ask the question are you okay?

Vulnerability can pave pathways to mutual vulnerability, know I hope you are all okay ❤️

10/09/2025 Day 1

10/09/2025 - Out Of The Shadows Walk

We walked for Heather (Cheese).

Today I walked 15 kilometres of my 63KM weekly goal, 10 of which was at one of my closest friend Shanna’s side. Shanna and her husband Jack were one of the first friendships I built during my transition from Canberra to Brisbane and have been a pivotal support system in my life ever since. Shanna despite her own numerous challenges in the three + years of knowing her never wallows in the hardships, her and her husband are the type of people that would stop anything to be there for a friend, and I admire them dearly for their ongoing positive outlooks and ability to “just keep swimming” as Shanna said today.

On this day last year I reached out to Shanna asking if she’d like to do the Out of The Shadows Walk in honour of her mother Heather, this created a tradition for our friendship, where nearly every other week Shanna and I walk the same path - after getting our salmon eggs Bennie’s and a coffee at Redcliffe peninsula of course.

Today we honoured Shanna’s mother Heathers memory. Shaz and I spoke about grief, complications of family dynamics, friendship, mental health, starting our own families one day, of my emotions around a recent passing within my own family and of course Heather.

Shanna described Heather as artistic/creative, and a stubborn, head strong woman amongst other things, I joked with Shanna about having Heather to thank for Shaz being a strong willed and stubborn woman herself. Shanna also told me Heather’s favourite song was The Year Of the Cat by Al Stewart.

Today was for Heather Hamilton - February 16th 2023.

I'm walking to remember those lost to suicide and help people in crisis

Tragically, every year over 65,000 Australians attempt to take their own life and over 3,000 Australians die by suicide.

Lifeline receives over 1 million contacts from people in crisis each year.

Suicide has devastating impact on friends and loved ones.

For World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept 10), I will be taking part in Out of the Shadows and walking for the 9 people lost to suicide every day.

I'm walking to raise funds for Lifeline to provide suicide prevention services and support for Australians in need.

Please support my walk and sponsor me to help those in crisis.

Together, we can ensure that no one has to face their darkest moments alone.

10/09/25 15KM walked in honour of my dear friend Shanna’s mother Heather.

My impact so far

I've raised $977 so far to answer 25 calls for Lifeline's crisis support hotline to connect and bring hope to people in crisis.

With your support, we can ensure that no person has to face their darkest moments alone.