Daniel Stephen will help “carry the burden” of mental health for young men in a gruelling challenge on Saturday. He’ll wear a 10-kilogram vest while running 50 kilometres from Singleton to Warners Bay.
The run is part of Lift The Load, a challenge run by mental health foundation Top Blokes. Daniel said many young blokes struggle with their mental health, while “putting on a brave face”. He sought to highlight the importance of “opening up and talking to someone”.
“It applies to all ages, but I think young men find it more difficult to talk,” he said. “I hate the idea of people bottling everything up inside.”
Daniel said blokes can break down under mental strain, regardless of whether they were “fit, healthy and strong”. He loved the saying “it’s not weak to speak”.
“I just want to do what I can to normalise the conversation around mental health,” he said. “Any conversation around mental health is a good conversation. Whether that’s talking to family, mates, a foundation like Top Blokes or a counsellor.”
The foundation runs mentoring programs through youth workers to “help equip boys and young men aged 10 to 24 with essential skills for positive mental health and wellbeing”. About a quarter of people in this age group report experiencing high psychological distress.
NSW government data showed 4 per cent of Hunter New England residents in this age group attended an emergency department for mental health in 2022/23. This was the highest rate among any age group.
The Top Blokes challenge can be done throughout the month of October. “I’ve decided to do it all in one day. I think that’ll have the most impact for donations,” Daniel said. His approach is working – he’s listed as the top fundraiser on the Top Blokes website, with more than $21,000 raised.
After starting running last year, Daniel had progressed to marathon and ultramarathon distances. The 50-kilometre distance is considered an ultramarathon.
“I enjoy running. It’s an escape from everything going on with work and life,” he said. He felt blessed to have easy access to run around the lake, living at Warners Bay.
“A run on a weekend or after work is the best thing in the world to unwind for me,” he said. “Pushing yourself and growing is always nice as well.”
Wearing a 10-kilogram vest will make the challenge much harder, but Daniel is up for it. “I know I can do it, so why wouldn’t I? It makes sense if it helps other people,” he said.
A Top Blokes statement said Lift the Load helps fund its programs and campaigns, “providing young males with the tools they need to thrive”. The statement said a 10-kilogram weighted vest “might seem like a lot”, but it had “lots of benefits”.
“It can help calm the nervous system by applying deep pressure on the body. This pressure can improve attention span and reduce agitation.”
Olympic boxer Harry Garside was announced as a Top Blokes ambassador this week to advance mental health awareness. “I’m such an advocate because I’ve been through it myself,” Harry said.
“There are so many benefits if young people can do more things where they are challenging themselves, building emotional intelligence and emotional literacy.”
