The Rotary Clubs of Bargara and its members will come together with the community on Sunday 13 October, to stage the second annual, LIFT THE LID WALK for mental health.
The original walk was the brainchild of passionate mental health advocate Vicki Stewart, a past president and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Mooloolaba.
Vicki wanted to raise funds for mental illness research and the vital role it plays in understanding and treating complex mental health issues.
To break down the barriers around mental illness so that people will be more comfortable discussing it and seeking help for their mental health problems.
In 2024 this second “LIFT THE LID WALK for Mental Health“ on the Coral Coast is now an annual fixture on the national community walk series calendar hosted by Australian Rotary Health (ARH) and Rotary District clubs, and the timing could not be more important.
“After eight successful years in Mooloolaba and raising more than $300,000 for Australian Rotary Health so far, we are delighted to be rolling out walk events in over 30 locations nationally across the coming year,“ Vicki said.
“The fundraising is vital however, it is not all about the money.
“We do need that for the research, but at this point in time it is so much more important to have the conversation and break down the social stigma of mental health, as it affects so many people.“
The walk and talk format is deliberately not a race, but an opportunity to get locals together to raise awareness of the serious mental health issues we face in all areas of our communities, schools, homes, and workplaces.
“Tragically, we are still seeing eight people take their own lives every day in Australia.
“What is even more disturbing is that there is an attempted suicide every eight minutes.
“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44 (AIHW 2022.) and it is estimated the impact of suicide deaths are felt by up to 135 people, including family members, work colleagues, friends, first responders at the time of death (Cerel et al, 2019).
“In addition to these alarming statistics, there are countless thousands of people of all ages who suffer from a wide range of mental health illnesses.
“This is why mental health research is so important.
“Now more than ever, we need to break down the stigma that continues to plague our society so that people are more comfortable discussing and seeking help for their mental health issues.“
As the sole beneficiary, 100 per cent of funds raised from the LIFT THE LID WALKS will support vital Australian Rotary Health research.
ARH is a national, not-for-profit organisation that funds health research and provides community education about health issues.
The organisation supports work on a broad range of health problems but specialises in mental health.
They are one of the largest independent funders of mental illness research over the past two decades in Australia.
Funding more than $54 million in projects, ARH funded research has played a founding role in establishing vital programs such as teen Mental health First Aid (tMHFA) and Cool Kids.
Australian Rotary Health chief executive officer, Joy Gillett OAM, said, this was a great initiative they were so excited to see it grow. It gives the opportunity for every Rotary Club in Australia to host a community walk – to create awareness of mental health, to support Australian Rotary Health, and to raise much-needed funds for research.
Event manger Joe Kearney said they were thrilled to be hosting this wonderful initiative.
“We are part of a volunteer army and the community we live in is at the heart of what we do and why we do it,“ Mr Kearney said.
“It’s never been more important for us to play a role in supporting mental health in our local communities than it is right now, and our local business community is really driving the support too lead by major sponsors Auswide Bank.
“Our walks are deliberately designed to focus on the difference we can make at a local level.
“Starting a conversation, bringing together adults, children, services, business and media to make a genuine connection, where we live, because the numbers tell us, we all know someone who is suffering.”
The Bargara LIFT THE LID WALK commences from Nielsen Park from 7:30am.
The entry fee is $30 with kids 15 and under walking free.
To find out more about how you can get involved or register for this event, visit the website liftthelidwalk.com.au/bargara
