Alan Thorpe, who is currently walking from his home in Ballarat to Australia’s capital, via Shepparton, says the display will form a visual representation of how many men and youth died by suicide the year before, making a wordless statement that screams ‘2500 too many’.
Mr Thorpe set out on his almost 800km trek, inspired by his and his family’s own struggles with mental health and suicide, on October 20 and is expected to wander into Shepparton between noon and 3pm on Wednesday, October 29.
But before that, local Yorta Yorta man and recovery advocate Jarvis ‘Chainbreaker’ Atkinson hopes to have drummed up a group of supporters to meet him “out the road” and tread the last 5km of the day’s steps with him before welcoming him to the city for a meet and greet barbecue at Victoria Park Lake.
When Mr Thorpe reaches Shepparton, he’ll be through almost a third of his journey to Canberra.
He plans to reach his destination on International Men’s Day on November 19.
His aim is to “give parliament the much-needed push to make changes in the way mental health is looked at in this country”.
Mr Atkinson has been organising speakers, mental health service providers and supporters for Mr Thorpe’s Shepparton visit, and is welcoming anyone who wants to be involved to join in.
For updates or to contact Mr Atkinson, find him on Instagram or TikTok (search @Chainbreaker826).
To follow Mr Thorpe’s journey and stay updated on his arrival to Shepparton, follow his Facebook page, Iwalkformensmentalhealth.
For 24/7 support, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If life is in danger, phone 000.
