TOMORROW members of the community will be walking at Lake Wendouree to shine a light on positive mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Walking off the War Within is an initiative which was started by Nathan Shanahan, a returned soldier and firefighter who walked from Mildura to Adelaide in 2015 to raise awareness about PTSD and depression.<\/p>\n
In 2016 Nathan took his own life and his father John Shanahan is continuing to support his legacy by replicating the walk Nathan took and shining a light on mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a St Pat\u2019s boy and did a big walk from Mildura to Adelaide in full army gear in 10 days to raise awareness for mental health,\u201d said Mr Shanahan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where Walking off the War Within started from because he felt he had a war going in within his own mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see your own son like that just ripped our hearts out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The course will be two kilometres and all members of the community are invited to join.<\/p>\n
Entry is free or by a donation of $10 or $25 with proceeds donated to a local charity which works in the mental health and suicide prevention space.<\/p>\n
Mr Shanahan said suicide is a significant issue in Ballarat which has not improved since Nathan\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat has the highest suicide rate of any place in Australia,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen Nath died, suicide was running at six a day in Australia, it\u2019s now running at seven a day in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an unbelievably rapid increase and we need very robust discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is hoped the walk will encourage the community to talk openly about these issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re reaching out to make people aware and to make people comfortable to talk about mental health and suicide,\u201d said Mr Shanahan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to be compassionate because the old theory of get over it or be a man is not right.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n
Walking off the War Within will take place on Saturday 7 October from 8am at Lake Wendouree starting near the adventure playground.<\/p>\n