Suicide prevention walk for hope
It is a long walk for the so-called survivors of suicide.
So a 210km cross country journey from Ballarat to Bendigo is no sweat for Jeanette Hartley.
On Saturday Ms Hartley walked the first leg of her 12-day trek north along the Goldfields Track to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
Her son Adam took his own life in 2002. He would have turned on October 30 had he lived.
Ms Hartley said walking was an appropriate way raise awareness because it was also a mechanism to cope with grief.
"I'll do 20km a day. That's fine, it's not especially hard. I've done harder," she said.
"I'm a member of the Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy. I've found that since Adam's death an extended bushwalk is a way to process things.
"I guess I'm advocating for everyone to get out into nature but also going for a walk gives you time to reflect and think."
Ms Hartley will complete some of the legs by herself, and be joined by dozens of friends, family and supporters on others. She plans to camp out in the bush most nights.
During the course of the walk Ms Hartley intends to raise $4000 for Lifeline.
"Friday is World Mental Health Day and today on the walk there was some talk about suicide prevention," Ms Hartley said. "One of the girls has brought along shirts with 'Hold on - you're not alone' printed on them. It's part of the same philosophy as R U OK.
"There are a lot of people who have spent a long time not talking about suicide and not dealing with it. I think it is better now
"I have raised $2000 to date and I managed to raise $4000 last year on a walk in the opposite direction from Bendigo to Ballarat for alzheimer's support, so it is achievable."
Comfortable clothes and shoes are obvious necessities but Ms Hartley is also wearing a tutu. It is intended to lighten up the mood a bit.
"I look for the lighter side of things, which is what the tutu is about. You have to," she explained. "But the other thing is that tutus have is many layers."
The timing is because Adam's birthday is October 30 but it is also the spring equinox, about the days become lighter and longer.
Ms Hartley is planning to make her walk an annual event.