Walk for mental health

WITH just two weeks to go this year’s Beechworth to Bridge (B2B) is ramping up to be another success with many participants from near and far gearing up for the annual 73km walk over three days from Beechworth to Bright. The picturesque walk along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail where people ‘walk, talk and support’ aims to help reduce suicide by promoting awareness, healing and remove stigma around suicide and mental health conditions. For B2B committee secretary Sally Hayden the event from March 22 to 24 will allow people to walk for whatever reason is important to them in a safe environment. Sally said many walkers will have either a lived experience of their own mental health difficulties, or from a family member or friend’s suicide. “It’s a real outlet where people feel safe to talk, and to really get rid of that stigma around suicide,” she said. Sally said conversations on the walk helped people to have easier conversations with family and friends. “That in turn prompts other conversations and has a good snowball effect,” she said. B2B committee member Mads Quirk said people walking shoulder to shoulder have a chance to share a burden, making it a lot easier to carry. “People can access the support they need and know that they're not on their own,” she said. “It's a great three days with morning teas and lunches provided by local service organisations and our wonderful bakers. “You can do all three days, or you can just do the last five kilometres with us from Porepunkah to Bright. Accessibility to the walk has been a focus too with the ‘hop on hop off support bus‘ as well as a return coach to Beechworth from Everton, Myrtleford and Bright. Sally said the return coach to each pick up point has helped to make a difference for people on the walk. “It means at the end of each day if you bought that as part of your ticket, the bus will take you back to the starting point for that day where you parked your car,” she said. “With the support bus, you can just plod along at your own pace, jump on the bus, have a bit of a rest, and then hop off and continue your walk alongside strangers, friends and family. Having started six years ago, B2B is supported by dedicated volunteers and sponsors including Dysons and Wangaratta Bus Line. Raffles with great prizes are available online too. Ticket cost includes a support bus, morning tea and lunch, professional first aid if needed and free water refills (BYO bottle) with porta-loos available along the way too. To join the volunteer group’s annual walk where people do not need to be super fit visit www.b2b.org.au before registrations close on Friday, March 15.

Walk for mental health

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