Put one foot forward with us this October for mental health in our #parasoul campaign. We’ll be participating in The Black Dog Institute’s One Foot Forward initiative, where we’ll walk, run, or roll in solidarity for the 1 in 5 Australians who experience a mental illness each year.

This FREE annual event allows people the opportunity to show solidarity with friends, family, and colleagues with lived experience of mental illness.

Recognising the critical role that paramedics play in providing care in the community, it is imperative that we also prioritise the mental health and well-being of our paramedic community.

Proudly supported by the College‘s Wellbeing Working Group, we‘d love you to join us in our month-long #parasoul journey. It’s free to join and you can sign up as an individual or as part of a team, which is a great way to connect with friends or workmates. You can also join the online community where people are able to share their stories and progress and receive support, encouragement, and inspiration.

Sign up at One Foot Forward as an individual or as part of a team or joint us on one of our scheduled walks.

Scheduled walks:

Australia

Sunday 1 October - Port Macquarie - Port Macquarie, Birpai Country, NSW - Port Macquarie Lighthouse to Shelly Beach - return

Saturday 14 October: Blue Mountains, Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri Country, NSW. Burramoko Ridge (Hanging Rock) Trail. Approx 11km. Meet at 9.30am on Ridgewell Road, Blackheath (drive down Ridgewell Road to the carpark at the locked gate).

Wednesday 18 October to Sunday 22 October: Bondi to Manly

Bondi to Manly, Bidjigal, Birrabirragal, Gadigal, Guringai and Gayemagal Country, NSW

• Day 1: Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay Wharf - 13.4km
• Day 2: Watsons Bay Wharf to Circular Quay - 20.1km
• Day 3 - Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo - 14.5km
• Day 4 - Taronga Zoo to Manly Wharf - 21.8km
• Day 5 - Manly Wharf to Manly Beach - 10.2km

Date to be confirmed - Bathurst, Wiradjuri Country, NSW. Boundary Road Reserve. Meet at 11am at Vietnam Veterans Memorial park, Boundary Road, Bathurst. Approx 4km.

Saturday 21 October - Melbourne Bayside Beach Hike

Melbourne Bayside Beach Hike, Kulin Country, VIC - - Brighton to Port Melbourne, 12.5km. Meet at 10am at Brighton Bathing Boxes/Brighton Life Saving Club.

New Zealand

Wednesday 18 October - St Heliers to Mission Bay Path. Meet at 4.30pm at the Mission Bay Fountain.

Keep an eye out on social media for updates on our more scheduled walks, and the progress of our #parasoul team.