There are many reasons why Kristy Cameron feels strongly about fighting the stigma that can surround mental health illnesses.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As someone whose family has lost four relatives to suicide, Ms Cameron is understandably passionate about the issue.
She also knows what it is like to have mental health issues personally and tells The Courier her daughters have been affected.
"I suffer from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress," she said.
One of her daughters has ADHD and has also suffered from post-traumatic stress, while another has OCD.
That is why Ms Cameron, her twin daughters Stephanie and Miley and about other 50 participants all braved a cold overcast morning in the Buninyong Botanical Gardens for the Mental Health Foundation Australia's Walk for Mental Health.
For Ms Cameron, the key to its success was raising awareness.
"Some people still seem to not understand what we go through, there's a lot of people out there that say 'snap out of it'. It's not as easy as that, it's very hard," she said.
"I push myself every day to do things and get out and push past the anxiety.
"It is hard. Check your friends. The happy, laughing ones are the ones you should be checking on."
Ms Cameron, who also keeps a blog about living with depression and anxiety, said the walk was a positive way of encouraging people to look after their mental health and make new connections.
"Just getting out, chatting, walking has been good, I have actually bumped into a few friends here," she said.
Stephanie and Miley were both enthusiastic participants in the event, with Miley saying it was good to get out in the fresh air.
"I think the message is to push the negativity away, because if you have the negativity there there is no room for positivity," said Stephanie.
Both Miley and Stephanie said they wanted to take part when they heard their mum had signed up to the event, the only one in regional Australia.
"I wanted to do the walk because mum has mental health issues, and it is raising awareness of mental health, so that's good for her," said Stephanie. "I want her to get better," added Miley.
For one of the organisers, Carolyn Gately, the big message of the day was to "accentuate the positive".
Ms Gately, from Alfredton, has bipolar disorder, and wanted to become involved in the event to give something back in gratitude.
"I had epilepsy and have had that since I was a child; I was taken off one of my medications and it turned out it was masking bipolar.
"That was a massive shock. That opened my eyes to the support all around - the unconditional love of my family, and groups."
I have received so much support when I needed it, and I want to be there for others
- Carolyn Gately
"My family, faith and support groups helped me see I was still worthwhile," she said. Ms Gately also says she had "incredible" support from Centrelink.
She walked through the gardens and along the footpaths of Buninyong with her daughter Therese as well as Therese's father Jamey Stack.
"I have received so much support when I needed it, and I want to be there for others," Ms Gately said. "All we have to do is start with small steps."
Event coordinator Dr Sundram Sivamalai also emphasised the importance of being active for mental health.
Meanwhile, Professor A. Basseer Jeeawody of the Emotional Well-Being Institute in Geneva was also present at the occasion and said that mental health should be discussed more.
He emphasised the power of the community cohesion for mental health.
"We need to be aware of the prevention of mental illness," he said in a talk just before walkers set off. "Walking can help you get better and walking in groups is one of the most beneficial things you can do. "
Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.