If it wasn’t for a friend’s simple check-in a few years ago, popular local mental health and fitness coach Lachlan Stuart might not be here today.
Mr Stuart, who launched ‘The Man that Can Project’ in 2017, said mental health awareness saved his life, and that fear of burdening a friend can stifle much-needed conversations.
“It’s difficult to share challenges with other people when everyone’s got their own battle,” he said.
“But as the cliché goes, I’d rather hear from a friend who’s struggling than hear about a friend who’s taken his life.
“I think a lot of people feel lonely and isolated at the moment even with people around them because we’ve lost the ability to communicate in terms of getting to what really matters.”
Mr Stuart partnered with the Mental Awareness Foundation in March for his 58 marathons in 58 days and believes shared physical experiences foster priceless conversations.
The foundation’s Walk for Awareness covers nine kilometres to commemorate the nine lives lost to suicide in Australia every day.
“Even if you can’t be there on the day, you can register online, get your shirt, and it shows others that people do care about mental health.”
Mental Awareness Foundation’s Walk for Awareness on Sunday, October 12 started at 8am from Captain Burke Park in Kangaroo Point, or from anywhere in the world for remote sign-ups.
