Mates of a young veterinary surgeon from Williamstown are rallying to raise awareness of mental health struggles.
A walk will be held in Williamstown next month to raise funds for suicide prevention in memory of Dr Flynn Hargreaves.
Flynn’s Walk was started by his friend, Williamstown’s Jack Levitt, who has since become a committee member of Queensland charity Love Your Pet Love Your Vet.
Mr Levitt said the charity was aimed at raising awareness that the rate of suicide among vets was four times higher than for the general population.
Last year’s walk raised more than $27,000 for R U OK?
Mr Levitt said the focus was on reducing the stigma that surrounded vets reaching out and asking for help.
“You think about the person that’s gone every day – I think about Flynn every day,” he said. “That, to me, is how I deal with it and that’s how I like dealing with it.
“The walk, as well, has been a way for me to channel that energy.
“Feeling like you’re doing something when you feel pretty helpless has been really important.
“He was one that slipped through and we now more than ever know that you have to have your radar up and be thinking about people and not dismiss someone if they say they’re not having a good one or they’re having a bad day which becomes a bad week or a bad month.
“I now know, unfortunately, what the result of that can be.”
Flynn’s Walk will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 10am with a 10-kilometre circuit starting and finishing at Williamstown Tennis Club. Funds raised will go to R U OK? and Love Your Pet Love Your Vet.
For more information, visit flynnswalk.eventbrite.com
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