Walks will expand to nine locations across the nation this year, starting with the flagship event in Ballarat on February 29. The events' foundations are in generating support and changing culture about mental health and post-traumatic stress for defence force and emergency services personnel.

Increasingly, big businesses are seeking out organisers for both ways they can support the events and take some practical tools back into their corporate environments to improve mental health support.

It has been almost five years since former special forces soldier and fire fighter Nathan Shanahan set out on a solitary march, a 400-kilometre journey from Mildura to Adelaide with a 20-kilogram pack, aiming to raise awareness while confronting what he called his personal war within.

His family and mates in his hometown, led by those at Ballarat City Fire Brigade, have carried on his legacy in the four years since Nathan took his own life.

Each year Nathan's dad John Shanahan puts flyers about town for the event.

"People openly want to discuss what it's about with us and why the event is important. We ran into really great people this year," Mr Shanahan said. "It's not just about the day, it's the lead-up around it, the talks you have when dropping flyers and the aftermath of the event when you see all the photos."

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Children have become an important part of Walking Off the War Within's Ballarat event, which is set up for a carnival-like atmosphere at St Patrick's College.

A changed course last year, adapted to a two-kilometre circuit in and about the school, encouraged more children to jump in and walk a little or cheer on their loved ones. Mr Shanahan said Nathan would have loved that.

Brisbane, Wagga Wagga and Mildura are officially launching events this year adding to others in Canberra, Kalgoorlie, Darwin, Warrnambool and Alice Springs.

Walking Off the War organiser Josh Martin, a Ballarat City fire fighter, said it was incredible to be spreading the events nationwide - almost to every state and territory in Australia. From Ballarat, the team offers a supportive role encouraging local organisers to adapt the event to best suit their communities.

Mr Martin said culture within emergency services was gradually changing, particularly from his perspective in the Country Fire Authority where peer-support and proactive programs were starting to change conversations.

"We've got a multitude of people in our peer-support with personal stories you can go to who can relate. It can be awkward sometimes to ask a guy if he's struggling," Mr Martin said. "In the walk, we're really centred around families because often with mental health, it's the family that suffers too."

Walking Off the War Within's Ballarat is on February 29.

For more details: walkingoffww.com.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14.

Help is also available, but not limited, via the following organisations. The key message is you are not alone.

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au

Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467

Mensline: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au

Survivors of Suicide: 0449 913 535

Relationships Australia: 1800 050 321

headspace Ballarat (for 12-25s and parent support): 5304 4777

Soldier On: 1300 620 380

Ballarat Community Health: 5338 4500

QLife: 1800 184 527 (Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people)

Family violence: 1800 RESPECT

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