On Saturday, March 21, Walk for a Bloke will meet at 6.30am by Victoria Park Lake to complete a 25km circuit of Shepparton and Kialla.
Dale Skinner, the walk lead, said “it’s all about encouraging men to build connections and get comfortable with communication”.
Participants are not required to walk the full distance if they feel they are unable to.
After the walk, families and friends are invited to join participants at the Aussie Hotel for lunch at about 1pm.
Mr Skinner, who has faced his own mental health challenges, has been volunteering for mental health organisations such as the Black Dog Institute and R U OK? since 2011 and brought the Walk for a Bloke initiative to Shepparton last year.
The initiative is designed to tackle male suicide and loneliness by giving men an opportunity to share their struggles with other men and break through the stigma around discussing their emotions.
The walk also provides men with information on how to respond to other men who open up to them.
“Don’t worry if you don’t have mates, we don’t walk alone,” Mr Skinner said.
“I go to far too many funerals.
“This is something blokes can do to prevent their mates from taking their own lives.”
Walk for a Bloke Shepparton had 27 participants last year and Mr Skinner said the event had already seen benefits to the community, including new friendships and men reaching out for support.
He recalled men from last year who had “never met before but were able to lean on each other”.
“There was a sense of relief to be able to talk to others,” Mr Skinner said.
To register for Walk for a Bloke, visit give.spoketoabloke.org/event/walk-for-a-bloke-shepparton
For further information, contact dskinner77@hotmail.com
• For 24/7 support, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If life is in danger, phone 000.
