Trek 4 Youth Mental Health

MEET PATRICK, batyr's CEO. I sat down with Patrick while I visited batyr headquarters in Sydney to learn more about how batyr operates and the role it (and your donations) is playing in the youth mental health space. My walking adventure has been so incredibly life-affirming for me, but, of course, it's been much bigger than that, thanks to all the incredible help (from you) I've received in supporting batyr's work. While there is so much more to be done in the face of rising rates of psychological distress and mental ill health among our young people, it's important to know that there are some very hard-working people out there throwing everything they can at the challenge. And that we can all play a part in helping.

WOW! AT NO point did I ever think my walk could inspire this much support for batyr Australia. It's given me the greatest surprise pleasure to watch things grow from an ambitious (I thought) original target of $10,000 to a whopping total of $131,637 🎉

And it's thanks to YOU!

By supporting this work, you've joined a team of hundreds of generous humans helping to transform the conversation around mental health and empower young people - and, in turn, our communities - to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU 🤎🤎🤎

PART 2 OF MY chat with Skyler as part of batyr's Giving Day celebration in Sydney. I hung out with the team all day, towards the end of which came the surprise moment the charity presented me with the framed map (seen in previous videos) depicting the route I walked across Australia. A very special day!

💛 I'll be wrapping up my fundraising this week, so coming days represent the last chance to contribute as part of my Trek 4 Youth Mental Health. If you'd like to support batyr, you can follow the link in the comment to the donation portal, where 100% donations go directly to the charity.

MY TIME WITH batyr Australia in Sydney coincided with the charity's Giving Day fundraiser, where I was interviewed on the couch by Skyler (one of batyr's program coordinators), as part of an epic five-hour livestream, all designed to raise much-needed donations to help batyr reach more young people with their in-person education programs. The day before, I'd joined Skyler and two other batyr staff at a high school in Strathfield, where I got to see the team in action, delivering an interactive presentation to Year 11 students. After walking across Australia for the cause, it really special to be able to connect with batyr in this way. [Couch interview part 1]

💛 If you'd like to support batyr, you can follow the link in my comment to the donation portal, where 100% donations go directly to the charity. Thank you so much to all those who have contributed!

ANOTHER ONE 🤭. UPON officially finishing the adventure by watching the sun rise beyond the "easternmost point of the mainland" sign at Cape Byron, I stayed within the vicinity of the lighthouse (with a packed lunch) for seven hours, to not only soak up the experience, but also be interviewed by from (in addition to the CH10 interview I posted yesterday). Together with the ABC and CH9 interviews I've posted previously, and an SBS interview I haven't posted, these opportunities mean I've enjoyed TV interviews with all five of Australia's major free-to-air channels.

While being able to say this is a bit of fun, the key thing I'm appreciating right now is the fact that word is getting out about the interest and care that is out there for the mental health of our young people. The interviews are too short to dive into the details behind why it's such an important cause today - summarily, that we're collectively facing a growing crisis affecting the mental well-being of society globally* - or how organisations like are having an important positive impact...but, they are nevertheless positive steps towards increased awareness. And every step in that direction is worth celebrating.

*https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-14/global-teen-mental-health-study-urges-action/104218614

💛 Tomorrow (June 11) is batyr's Giving Day, when donations made to batyr via their 'normal' donation platform (i.e. not through my Trek 4 Youth Mental Health donation portal) are being tripled (thanks to batyr's philanthropic partners). If you would like to donate tomorrow and have your donation tripled, please visit batyr.com.au and click on the 'Triple your donation now' button.

AS IMPORTANT AS celebrating the physical achievement of walking across Australia is for me, towering alongside this aspect of the mission as a critical outcome is the journey's role as a storytelling tool. Not just (and least of all) with regard to my story, but also (and more so) a story about our universal effort to maintain healthy minds in the face of life's diverse challenges.

This mental health aspect of the adventure has grown organically along the way - I didn't have much of a strategy when I started (besides an intention to have fun making videos and invite charitable donations along the way); and have largely been flying by the seat of my pants when it comes to trying to have a positive impact on our mental well-being. In the process - and something I want to take forward with me - I have developed an intensifying interest in harnessing the power of storytelling to effect positive change.

So, as much as I have wanted to crawl into a bed and not emerge until I get bored (i.e. rest > feel lazy > grow space for fresh inspiration and energy to flood my system), I've spent much of the last week moving through storytelling opportunities like this TV interview (along with other TV and radio opportunities).

Thanks 10 News Perth for your time and effort!

💛 It's getting closer to the time I officially close the fundraising side of this adventure, but not before I visit batyr headquarters to meet the team, join in on one of their school programmes, and participate in their Giving Day (June 11) activities - all happening in Sydney this week! 💛 If you'd like to support the journey and batyr, you can follow the link in my comment to the donation portal, where 100% donations go directly to the charity. Thank you so much to all those who have contributed!