opinion
Justin Langer: Hiking 135km on Cape to Cape for zero2hero CEO’s trek gave me insight into youth mental health

As Mental Health Week comes to a close, I’m reflecting on five days where I immersed myself in nature challenging my body, building a new community, and nourishing my mind as a part of the zero2hero CEO’s trek. For a couple of years I convinced myself that it would be impossible to take a week out of my calendar to complete the gruelling 135-kilometre walk. I am sure my co-trekkers have thought the same thing because of their own busy schedules. But I’m glad I changed my mind. The cause we were raising awareness for — youth mental health — is a no-brainer, especially as I have family and friends who have been crippled psychologically and physically by mental illness. Having seen first-hand the devastating impact of young people battling psychological demons I believe anything we can do to help our kids live happier and healthier lives is something we should all aspire to. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44. In our ‘lucky country’, this makes little sense to me. It also makes me feel incredibly sad. Mental illness and suicide affects millions of Australians and is a confronting topic for many of us to approach. I’ve learned this week that, not only is suicide the leading cause of death under the age of 44, but also that 75 per cent of mental illness is formed before the age of 25. Taking on this trek gave me the chance to raise funds for the mental health charity zero2hero. By chance, this year’s World Mental Health theme is ‘Mind. Body. Environment’ — three themes that have been relevant this week. I say this because our fundraising and awareness vessel has been the CEO’s Cape 2 Cape Trek in the magnificent South West of our State. It’s hard yakka, but it’s also an outrageously beautiful part of the world from the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse to the Lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste in North Yallingup. During this time, not only did I get to experience some of the most breathtaking scenes of nature, but I also met some of the most extraordinary people. Nature, as I have witnessed in abundance this week, is the greatest form of ‘reality TV’ in the world. Our West Australian coastline is breathtaking. The wildflowers are stunning at this time of the year and the whales and dolphins are alive with energy. Walking in the coastal bushland was invigorating and seeing the kangaroos, emus and snakes in their natural habitat was humbling. Joining me for the trek were 20 CEOs from around WA who committed to raising awareness and funding for zero2hero; a charity dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of young people and preventing suicide in Australia. Among the CEO’s was zero2hero boss Ashlee Harrison. A passionate and bright young woman, I admired the fact that she walked the talk and put herself through the challenges of the trek. Great leaders don’t ask others to do something they wouldn’t do themselves, and I was inspired to see her roll up her sleeves and fight the fight with a group of people who want to help her as she helps others in our community. Each of these CEO’s had their own motivations for committing to the trek but, over the course of the week, they taught me another valuable lesson. On Monday they were complete strangers to me — besides two of my best friends Pauly and Jen. Yet, five days later, they were a group of people who shared with me one of the best and most valuable weeks of my life. All from varying industries, the biggest lesson they have taught me is that laughter, wise conversation, and shared inspiration is an incredibly powerful binders — especially when times get tough. And as the week went on, times certainly did get tough. Our feet screamed, our weary muscles ached, and there were times when my legs, back and knees were crying out for a rest. But as we soldiered on, the thing that got us through was combined kindness and encouragement. Like any good team, we had each other’s backs. We laughed and joked our way through the toughest of paths, and provided empathy and support for those who were suffering the most. Like other great teams I have been involved in, we had an amazing support staff who fed us, kept us hydrated, fixed our blisters and injuries, and entertained us at night. Everyone had a role to play and, like I have learned through my life, we can’t reach our destinations without them. Often they are the unsung heroes. Among the support staff were two wonderful young men named Marshall ‘Young Blood’ Grosse and Brodie Mack. Their experience in the mental health realm — learned through real-life experiences — was not only educating but, more importantly, encouraging. If we have kind young souls like this looking to make a difference in our community, we are in good hands. With so much focus on mental health, mental illness and teenage suicide, I couldn’t help but wonder if our young people had the opportunity to spend more time in nature, exercise more, surround themselves with awesome people, laugh out loud, and embrace times of silence, then life might feel better than it does today. In a world of challenges — not only for our kids but also for us as adults — my experience from this week has taught me the power of all aspects of mind, body and environment. Sore as my body may be feeling today, I can’t remember feeling this clear and energised for a very long time. My mind feels rejuvenated, and my spirit is galvanised — not only for my path ahead but also for the need to help others learn the tools for their own good physical and mental health. Not everyone has the luxury of taking a week out of their life to trek through rugged, remote beauty, but we can all take the time to marvel at nature, exercise, laugh, encourage others and learn through conversations and reading. That said, if you ever get the chance to do the Cape to Cape Trek, you will not be disappointed. Equally, if you want to learn more about the zero2hero charity, you might be as inspired as I am. And of course, for all those who have donated and supported me through this trek, THANK YOU. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids helpline 1800 55 1800

opinionJustin Langer: Hiking 135km on Cape to Cape for zero2hero CEO’s trek gave me insight into youth mental health

opinion
Justin Langer: Hiking 135km on Cape to Cape for zero2hero CEO’s trek gave me insight into youth mental health