Page 10 - Health Services Directory 2023

W a lk and T a lk for Mental Health

by Zoe Askew started walking, and one of my mates, improved so we can ultimately help as “I did it all off my own back, spent
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he caught up with me, and then the many people as possible.” a small fortune to get it all together.
his story includes references people showing up here [Briagolong Mental health affects everyone, I spent a lot of time away from the
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to mental ill health and suicide Recreation Reserve] just for the and suicide is tearing apart more and wife and kids to organise the event as
and may be distressing for entertainment ... it is unbelievable.” more families, friends and communi- well as last year with no government
Tsome readers. Wellington Shire councillor Carmel ties in Victoria and across the nation. funding, grants, sponsorship, or
Callan ‘Cal’ Coleman choked back Ripper initiated the walk, addressing The Coroners Court of Victoria nothing.
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tears as he passed the 20-kilometre the crowd of participants just before (CCOV) reported 759 suspected “Mum helped a lot too,” Cal
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Walk & Talk For Mental Health finish 8am, congratulating Cal on his efforts suicide deaths in 2022, up from 694 continued.
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line at the Briagolong Recreation in another successful event. in 2021. “Four local butchers donated
Reserve on Saturday, May 13. On January 26, the Wellington Between January and April 2023, over 40 kilograms of snags, Woolies
“When I come through, everyone Shire Council and Lions Club of the CCOV reported 254 suspected donated 20 slabs of water, Bakers
was going ‘well done’ and hugging Stratford presented Cal with an award deaths by suicide in Victoria, with Delight donated 15 loaves of bread,
me, and it was just more emotional in recognition and honour of his around three-quarters of suspected and Centre Bakery donated 10 loaves.
because we went harder for the outstanding achievement, organising deaths by suicide among males, and Coles and ALDI donated sauce and
people we’ve lost and from last year his 2022 Walk & Talk For Mental the majority of suspected deaths soft drinks, which all got sold on the
to this, I never could have imagined Health and raising more than $11,000 by suicide occurred among those day, with profits going straight to
it,” Cal said. for the Black Dog Institute. aged between 25 and 54. In 2021, Black Dog Institute.
“I was telling Tegs (Cal’s wife Tegan Walkers of all ages, from primary the Australian Institute of Health “Fifty-three local businesses
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Coleman) what I wanted, and she school students to those in retirement, and Welfare recorded 3144 suicide donated raffle prizes, and roughly 20
laughed, like last year, she laughed crossed the finish line; each walker fatalities in Australia, an average of businesses helped out behind the
and goes, ‘how are we going to do completed the journey bearing a about nine per day. scenes.
it all? We don’t have money’, but brightness for their contribution Judge John Cain said the impact “Hopefully, this year’s event puts
everyone just donated their time; it’s to Cal’s fundraising cause. Local of a young person’s suicide on me on the map for sponsorship or
incredible.” businesses and sporting clubs were their friends, family and the wider funding, even a committee to help
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More than 500 people joined also represented, with participants community was profound and out because it’s a lot to take on and a
Cal Coleman, a Stratford local, in donning workwear and club colours. far-reaching. lot goes on behind the scenes, and it’s
the 20km walk from Pine Lodge in Following the 20km walk, which Cal “The health and wellbeing of young only going to get bigger and bigger.”
Stratford to Briagolong Recreation completed 30 minutes faster than Victorians is a community respon- You can help Callan Coleman
Reserve, raising money for the Black in 2022, hundreds of locals came sibility. While we work with state support the Black Dog Institute next
Dog Institute. to Briagolong Recreation Reserve and federal government to provide year in the 2024 Walk & Talk For
In 2022, Cal raised more than grounds joining the 2023 Walk & Talk data that informs targeted suicide Mental Health.
$11,000 for the Black Dog Institute For Mental Health after party. There prevention programs, I urge parents
walking 20km from Stratford to was live music, food trucks, jumping and friends to help our young people
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Briagolong. castles, face painting and even a stay connected and supported,” he IF YO O R
This year, the father of three raised massage therapist who was in high said in a statement. ANYONE YOU
more than $25,000. Cal still can’t demand with several sore walkers. With data pointing to an increasing
believe the reception his 2023 Walk Since 2022, Cal has raised nearly issue, particularly among young men KNOW NEEDS
& Talk For Mental Health received, $40,000 for the Black Dog Institute. aged 15 to 25, fundraising events such HELP...
with 130 locals volunteering, 53 local “Together, we can make a real dif- as Cal’s Walk & Talk For Mental Health
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businesses donating raffle prizes ference in the lives of people touched are needed now more than ever. Lifeline: 13 11 14
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and the sheer number of people by mental illness and suicide,” Black Events like Cal’s not only help Kids Helpline: 180 5 51 800
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who joined Cal in the entirety or a Dog Institute spokesperson Natasha support the Black Dog Institute Beyond Blue: 130 2 24 636
portion of the 20km walk and those McNamara said. financially, with $50,000 helping health Suicide Call Back Service:
who attended the after party at the “The Black Dog Institute acknowl- professionals care for more rural 1300 659 467
Briagolong Recreation Reserve. edges not everyone is getting the Australians by educating 150 health Headspace: 1800 650 890
“I seen them all piling in [at Pine help they need and that there’s no professionals on the latest mental Aborigina & l T orres Strait
Lodge], and I was looking at mum, one-size-fits-all solution. health research and clinical evidence, Islander Crisis Support Line:
and we are going ‘oh my God’,” Cal “Therefore, it is important for the while spreading awareness. 13YARN 13 92 76
said. Black Dog Institute to continuously “I put my heart and soul into the MensLine Australia: 130 7 89 978
0
“People were still pulling in as we investigate how mental health can be event, busted my balls,” Cal said.
On an average day in Australia’s hospitals,
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erage
people
24,100
24,100 people presented for care at
emergency
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Australia’ p ublic hospital emergency
Australia’
ublic
hospital
departments.
depar tments.
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Source: www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health
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PAGE 10 - Wellington Health Services Directory 2023
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