Rise
to the challenge and join a mission of hope and endurance with the "78 for
78 Challenge" – a feat of strength that symbolises the relentless fight
against veteran suicide and mental health struggles.
As
an ADF veteran who has encountered considerable mental health challenges since
transitioning to civilian life, I've seen the dire need for greater mental
health awareness in our veteran community. Inspired by this, I am embarking on
a momentous undertaking: to swim and cycle a total of 78 kilometres in just one
week.
This
endeavour carries profound weight, as it represents the tragic and poignant
statistic of the 78 veterans who, on average, have tragically ended their own
lives each year between 2011 and 2021. Such a distressing reality, as revealed
by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide's report in September
2024, demands immediate attention—and it is my mission to seize this moment to
foster support and ignite crucial conversations surrounding veteran mental
health.
The
"78 for 78 Challenge," therefore, is much more than a physical
test—it's an urgent call to action. Through this challenge, I aim to raise
funds to ensure a veteran can receive a full year of psychological support.
This constitutes 12 critical and potentially transformative therapy sessions,
each valued at $250. Expanding this mission, we strive to amass enough funding
to secure such vital mental healthcare for 78 veterans, one for each life lost
annually during the documented period, honouring their memory and serving those
who still stand among us.
Your support, both moral and financial, is the heartbeat of my campaign. Every arduous stroke and determined cycle echoes with purpose—each kilometre travelled is a tribute to the lives we've lost and a gesture of solidarity with those who wage their silent battles after serving their nation. This challenge seeks to reshape the alarming statistic of 78 annual suicides into 78 tales of hope, healing, and support. Join us in this life-affirming mission, contribute to a cause that redeems hope from despair, and together, let's rewrite the narrative from one of loss to one of understanding, community, and enduring support.
