Long trek for mental health

A VICTORIAN man has completed a journey of over 300 kilometres on foot, which took him through part of Moorabool Shire, to raise awareness for mental health issues.

Queenscliff artist David Beaumont set off from the You Yangs on Saturday 13 April, reaching his final destination of Wycheproof 11 days later.

Driven by the young men in regional communities he knows who have taken their lives, Mr Beaumont said speaking with people from the towns he passed through, and hearing their experiences, had been “a humbling, sobering experience”.

“I finished the journey last Wednesday (24 April),” Mr Beaumont said.

“It was worth every step of the way. I’ve known, personally and through friends, a number of young men who have sadly taken their lives over the last few years.

“The data indicates that young men in rural settings are around twice as likely to take their lives as those in urban settings…so the walk was a bit about getting a sense of what was going on, and also raising some awareness in those communities as I passed through and spoke with people in.”

The walk took Mr Beaumont through Ballan, Daylesford, Maldon, Inglewood, Newbridge, Wedderburn, and Charlton, before he finally reached Wycheproof.

He walked an average of between 27 and 30 kilometres a day.

“I spoke with dozens and dozens of people along the way. Almost everyone was either directly affected, or knew someone secondhand that had taken their life,” he said.

“It’s pretty full-on, it’s concerning. It’s not entirely causal, but post-COVID I think there’s a sense of isolation in rural communities, especially for young men who maybe don’t have a group of mates, aren’t into footy, things like that.

“It’s difficult in rural settings. So it was about connecting, and acknowledging and remembering those young people who have taken their lives…letting people who are grieving know they’re not alone.

“It’s not something you’ve done or haven’t done…it’s sadly not a common thing, but people aren’t alone in their grief. Other people have experienced it too.

“While that doesn’t take away the grief, it may at least help take away that sense of isolation.”

If you feel you need to talk to someone about your mental health, you can get support 24/7 from Lifeline online or on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.