Content warning – this post discusses depression and suicidal feelings.
Kanisha Hood, Ursula Hood and Rani Stokell are some of the GEGAC staff going for regular walks as part of the One Foot Forward challenge to raise money for the Black Dog Institute. Photo: Troy Brown/GEGAC
GEGAC is inviting all community to join us in a walking challenge this month to raise money for mental health research and suicide prevention.
“Black dog” has become a metaphor for feelings of depression or sadness.
So when we say someone is “wrestling with the black dog,” it means they are struggling with their mental health.
The Black Dog Institute is a nonprofit organisation the does mental health research and provides support services for people battling depression, anxiety and mental illness.
Suicide devastates our mob, our community.
Nine people die by suicide every day in Australia, and the rate of suicide is much higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
That’s why GEGAC is proud to support the One Foot Forward walking campaign this October to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute.
GEGAC staff and community members have already started doing regular walks together and logging their kilometres.
“Our goal is to raise $20,000 so the more people we have join the GEGAC team the better!” said GEGAC’s Healthy Lifestyles Worker Rani Stokell.
“You don’t have to be a super athlete. Even just a kilometre here and there makes a big difference, not only for this fundraising campaign but for your own physical and emotional health.”
All GEGAC staff, family members and local mob are invited to join GEGAC’s One Foot Forward team in October by going to www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/gegac
You can also just come along to our regular walks during the week by reaching out to Rani at 0439 206 117 or Rhi at 0461 474 789
“The money we raise will make a very real and immediate difference to our ability to understand and respond to the mental health crisis our community is facing at the moment,” Rani said. “For example, just $65 can help train community presenters to reach 179 school students to talk about mental health and how to get support. That’s huge.”
GEGAC Indigenous Dual Diagnosis Clinician Nicole Barr said the simple act of walking together with a friend or a group of workmates was its own massive step toward being healthy and happy.
“It’s a great way to bring GEGAC staff and community together to show how important mental health is for all of us,” she said. “One way we can look after our own mental health is through staying healthy and moving – movement is medicine.”
“It’s been really nice to spend this time with people outside the office, getting some exercise in this beautiful weather, having a yarn. It’s helped us think for a moment about our own mental health, and have conversations around these topics that are sometimes hard to talk about.”
To get involved with our One Foot Forward campaign visit our campaign fundraising page at www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/gegac
If you’re keen to join GEGAC’s regular walks for health and wellness, email rani.stokell@gegac.org.au or call Rani at 0439 206 117 or Rhi at 0461 474 789
If you want to have a yarn with someone, here’s some helpful phone numbers:
- GEGAC’s Tanderra Wellbeing Service: 5152 0887
- 13YARN: 13 92 76 – available 24/7
- Yarning SafeNStrong: 1800 959 563 – available 24/7
- Kids Helpline (ages 5-25): 1800 551 800
- Urgent Mental Health Help: 1300 363 322
- Elizabeth Hoffman House Aboriginal Women’s Service: 1800 796 112
- Brother to Brother Crisis Support Line: 1800 435 799
- Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service (Lakes Entrance): 4110 2100
- DJIRRA: Aboriginal Legal Service: 1800 105 303
- Lifeline: 13 11 44
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292
- Ambulance and Police: 000