day nine - action > awareness

When I first had the idea to wear kilts for an entire year, I though it was going to be about raising awareness for mental health. After all, lots of people raise awareness right?

I stumbled upon the page of a man called Marc Nieuwenhuys. He was undertaking a solo 2400km journey along the length of the Murray River to break free from his own depression, and raise awareness along the way. The further down the river he got, his focus too changed from awareness to action. His village grew, he became more courageous, organising signage on his kayak explaining what his expedition ‘Talking About A Lonely Journey"‘ was all about. He began actively engaging people in discussion about mental health, and learnt first hand the power that conversations can have. Action made a difference. Peoples lives were changed.

Marc inspired me to change the focus of this year from simply awareness, towards action - Towards openly discussing mental illness & mental health, and try to break the (often self-imposed) stigmas surrounding it.

We need to be aware of how mental health affect us and our communities. We need to be aware of what support services are available. We need to be aware of how to offer and ask for help.

Awareness is critical, but all that awareness must lead to action.

Kilt of the day - Sport Kilt in Ross Modern Tartan

(yes… I’m aware that I need more kilts. I’ll take action on it and get some new ones :)

Links of the day - Talking About A Lonely Journey

https://www.talkingaboutalonelyjourney.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/talkingaboutalonelyjourney/

[photo pilfered from Marc’s facebook page. Sorry mate.]