New beach walk to raise men’s mental health awareness

A NEW men’s walk for mental health awareness is coming to Ballina as part of a growing online group and support network run by the Inner Compass MRD.

It is the brainchild of Ryan Hartin, Matthew Jeffery and Daniel McVey, with the first Northern Rivers Walk to be held at Lighthouse Beach on Sunday, August 31.

The trio have experience as life coaches and saw a gap in the market once Hartin moved to the area from the Mid North Coast.

They have already held similar walks with up to 30 participants on the Gold Coast.

“We wanted to create a positive environment for men who might not have a support network around them,” Mr Hartin said.

“Some of the guys in the online group probably sit on the sidelines a bit, so it’s great to be able to connect with them on one of the walks.

“Walking with people side-by-side takes some of that face-to-face pressure off.

“It creates a neutral ground where men can feel safe to share, connect and be themselves without an expectations or judgement.”

The group will meet in the Lighthouse Beach car park with an information session before and after the walk, which is expected to be a few kilometres around Shaws Bay.

The plan is to make it a regular event with half day and weekend retreats in the future.

“Men don’t often have access to these services unless we take it upon ourselves to drive it from within,” Mr Hartin said.

“We want to provide a space for men to meet like-minded blokes who are ready to let go of old patterns and work on becoming better versions of themselves.

“This group is built on real connection, where brothers show up, speak honestly, and hold space for one another.”

Anyone interested in attending the Ballina walk should meet in the Lighthouse Beach car park at 9am.