BATHURST is at the top of a wish list of cities for a proposed rollout of the successful Walk 'n' Talk For Life mental health initiative across regional NSW.
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Walk 'n' Talk started in Lithgow in September 2016 as an opportunity for like-minded and caring people to come together to talk openly about suicide prevention.
The most recent event was held in Lithgow on Saturday when founder, former NRL footballer Shannon Nevin, said Walk 'n' Talk would be expanded in partnership with the Australian Horizon Foundation.
Mr Nevin said centres including Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Mudgee would likely soon have their own regular Walk 'n' Talk for Life communities as part of a rollout of 10 new regional events.
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Bathurst is likely to be the first new centre to host Walk 'n' Talk, with plans under way to hold an event in the spring.
"I would love to see hundreds of these events, in all states of Australia, so if you were taking a holiday in Fremantle, for example, you could jump onto the website and find an event happening within half an hour of where you are," he said.
"This is all about getting people together, to see the yellow shirt and to feel that connection with a caring community.
"Good things happen when people come together in this way."
Part of the event's success, Mr Nevin said, was that it was free for people taking part.
"You get a free shirt, there's no cost to register, that's something that makes this event unique as well," he said.
"You find that a lot of people who are depressed ... may not have a lot of money, they may not have a job, but that does not prevent them taking part."
Good things happen when people come together in this way.
- Shannon Nevin
Lithgow Walk 'n' Talk for Life's Leanne Walding said the event continued to get so much support, particularly from local groups who carried out fundraising on their behalf so they could continue to buy shirts.
"We are grateful to everyone for their support," she said.
Mr Nevin said Walk 'n' Talk for Life was founded on the belief that real life connection, and exercise, was important in the maintenance of mental health and wellbeing.
Need help?
- Lifeline: Phone 13 11 14, go to www.lifeline.org.au.
- BeyondBlue: Phone 1300 22 4636, go to www.beyondblue.org.au.
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