OVER 185 people gathered in solidarity at a luncheon last Friday to launch this year\u2019s Walking off the War Within campaign.<\/p>\n
At the North Ballarat Sports Club, emergency services personnel, defence force groups and the broader Ballarat community came together ahead of this year\u2019s walking event, to be held around the perimeter of St Patrick\u2019s College on Saturday, 23 March.<\/p>\n
The initiative started two years ago in memory of returned solider and firefighter, Nathan Shanahan and other fallen service people who have taken their own lives after battling mental health issues.<\/p>\n
In 2015, Nathan travelled over 400 kilometres on foot from Mildura to Adelaide with a 20kg backpack to raise awareness and funds for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.<\/p>\n
He was a fierce advocate for mental health, but sadly lost his own battle in 2016. Walking Off the War Within continues Nathan\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n
Participants of Ballarat\u2019s 2019 walk are challenged to complete 20km carrying 20kg of weight to \u2018share the burden and march as one.\u2019<\/p>\n
Nathan\u2019s father, John Shanahan welcomed sponsors and supporters of the walk to Friday\u2019s function and thanked them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019m extremely proud of and I know Nath would be looking down and saying these people are all on the same journey as what he was, in trying to get reform for mental health,\u201d Mr Shanahan said.<\/p>\n
Josh Martin worked with Nathan, knew him for 20 years and is honoured to continue his legacy.<\/p>\n
He hopes the walk will bring together a broad spread of the community, reminding people that it\u2019s always OK to talk about how you feel and it\u2019s important for those listening to follow up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going forward and ahead\u2026 there\u2019s a lot more people involved which generates a lot more awareness about it,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
He was grateful to have the support of AFL personalities Danny Frawley and Glenn Manton, and Beyond Blue\u2019s Kym Frost who were all speakers at Friday\u2019s lunch. Mr Manton said it was a pleasure to be involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very, very impressed with the level of commitment and infrastructure that\u2019s gone into this particular luncheon and cause itself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are people that are playing for keeps. They really want to invite and maintain change.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event\u2019s driving force, Carlee Grant said the lunch was an opportunity six weeks out from the walk to encourage people to register and tell 10 friends.<\/p>\n
All ages and fitness levels will come together to walk and talk about ending the stigma, and participants are asked to wear their group\u2019s colours or uniform, if applicable, to display a united front in tackling depression and PTSD head on.<\/p>\n