The 2024 Wellness Walk for Mental Health has raised more than $48,000 for essential mental health and wellbeing services in New South Wales.
More than 480 people participated in One Door Mental Health's annual event, which was held on 12 and 13 October in Sydney and Newcastle. Wellness Walk participants in Sydney walked 2km from New South Wales Government House around the Royal Botanic Gardens, or 5.9km across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and back, while people in Newcastle walked from Tramsheds Park to Rydges Newcastle.
The event, which is run in accordance with New South Wales Mental Health Month (1-31 October), provides people with an opportunity to improve their physical wellbeing while showing their support for people experiencing mental health challenges, as well as their families, carers and supporters.
The Wellness Walk’s primary goal is to raise awareness about mental health challenges and the support services that are available. Money raised through the event also helps fund One Door’s clinical and peer-supported mental health programs.
“Despite the morning rain, guests braved the weather to take steps toward raising mental health awareness and reducing stigma for the people we support,” One Door Mental Health CEO Kathi Boorman said.
“We were honoured to have Her Excellence Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales, and the newly appointed New South Wales Mental Health Commissioner, Jennifer Black, as special guests at Government House.
“In Newcastle the event also grew considerably with 100 people taking part. So many people contributed to make it a special day; from the Acknowledgement of Country by Aunty Theresa to the musical performances. Many organisations also donated their time to showcase their work in the sector, helping participants make new invaluable connections and link up with support groups and local services.”
Since it began in 2013 the Wellness Walk has raised more than $550,000 for essential mental health and wellbeing services – supporting the one in five Australians facing mental health challenges.
This year’s Wellness Walk was the first since Mind Australia and One Door formally merged on 1 January 2024 to establish one of the largest community managed mental health and wellbeing service specialists in Australia.