Team's walking to make a difference

The team at Dynamic Bradview Roofing is walking this month to raise awareness of mental health and money for the Black Dog Institute.

Accounts Manager Sharon McTague says it will be the fourth year the company’s employees have walked as a team in the One Foot Forward fundraiser and her fifth time personally.

During the month of October, which is Mental Health Month, participants are asked to walk, run or roll in solidarity for the one in five Australians who experience mental illness each year and raise money for the Black Dog Institute.

In the past four years, Bradview Roofing has raised $190,000 for the charity.

“Mental Health affects so many people and still it is a disease that we shy away from talking about. Either we have suffered ourselves or know someone that has suffered,” Sharon explains.

“Creating an environment where people know that it’s okay to speak up, I believe, makes for a safer place (mentally) to work.”

Walking as a team is not only a display of solidarity, but also a chance to talk about issues affecting them or those they love.

“By taking part in the cause we are showing our staff that it’s okay to discuss mental health,” Sharon explains.

“Since starting this five years ago I have been very open with the people I work with of my own battle with mental health.

“I have always been lucky and had a great supportive family and a good doctor, but I also know that a lot of people don’t have this, or they don’t realise that if they do speak out that there will be people there to help them.

“I also understand the challenges with getting the right help when you first reach out, so talking about it lets others know that they can get help and that they can feel better.”

The team, of 26, is aiming to raise $50,000 this year. You can support them by donating online or spreading the word.

Sharon says raising money is just the start.

“There is still so much that needs to be done to help those affected. The time delays in being able to get into seeing a psychologist or other mental health professionals is too long, and sometimes still too costly for some people even with the Medicare rebate,” she says.

To find out more about One Foot Forward, head to the website