Local Hero: Mark Avery

Five years ago Mark Avery lost a good friend and neighbour to cancer, leaving behind his wife and young daughter.

“One minute we were messing around passing the kids over the back fence and in a short space of time Frank was gone and we were all a bit lost.”

Mark like many men, kept it in and did what he thought was best to stay strong, but on the inside he was struggling.

“I was drinking a lot to try and cope and numb the pain which of course made it all worse. I was depressed.”

Mark eventually visited his doctor, and when asked how he was he broke down in tears. While the tension that had built up inside had been released, Mark decided to do something about it and in turn signed up for his first marathon.

“The training gave me the focus I needed to form healthier habits and put all of my energy into something positive. Training for a marathon and completing it led to a 50km marathon, which then led to a 100km, then a few more. Always with this big goal in the back of my mind.”

Why are you doing this challenge?

“I’m doing this for a number of reasons. I’m doing this in memory of Frank. I’m doing this to leave a legacy – I want my kids, Lily and Alfie to grow up thinking that anything is possible.” says Mark.

Mark believes that it’s important he shares his story to highlight that we don’t really know what people are thinking and going through behind the mask they wear each and every day or what they put on social media. He wants people to know that it’s okay to take that mask off and talk about how you’re feeling.

"Eight Australians will die from suicide each day and six of them are men. We can turn those statistics around by providing services and support that help build mental fitness and enable people who are doing it tough to open and get help.

I’m doing this in partnership with Gotcha4Life to not only raise awareness around mental health, but to encourage others to speak up and to take action to be mentally healthy.”

Gotcha4Life is a not-for-profit foundation created by media personality Gus Worland in order to reverse the trend of declining mental health in Australia and tackle the nation's alarming suicide rates. The issue of declining mental health among Australians across regional communities affected by drought - and now bushfires - continues to be a growing national crisis.

What made you seek help?

Mark admits that he didn’t seek help for a long time, and as a result feels as though he suffered alone without knowing what to do.

“Despite only being a short conversation, that first trip to the doctor really helped. When I was looking into charities for this run, the importance of conversation kept coming up. But also the reality that most people don’t ask for help.

So for me it was about pushing through that initial fear to ask for help, as I knew that was the only way to really move forward,” explains Mark.

What was the reaction of your friends and family when you shared that you were struggling?

Looking back, Mark believes his biggest fear was judgement. After sharing the story of his own struggle Mark received many messages from people who had either been through something similar or were experiencing it now.

“By sharing my story and being so open, it helped reduce some of the stigma and created a safe space for other people to have the conversation. It’s also changed the relationships I have with my family and friends. Relationships that are still full of fun and banter, but now have more depth and open and honest conversations.”

Is there anything you would like to ask the wider community to do to help your cause?

“If this story resonates with you and you want to do something about it please either donate or join in on the virtual challenge.”

"During my last challenge of running 21 half marathons in 21 days, I received a lot of messages from people asking if they could get involved. So this time I’ve organised a virtual challenge where teams can collectively run, walk, or crawl the 1000km journey from Tweed Heads to Sydney with me" says Mark.

The amount raised will go back into the community to support the delivery of mental health workshops in schools and clubs, something that Mark believes is more important than ever in today’s climate.

“I’m hoping it will be a good way to bring people together, albeit virtually and to have some fun while raising funds for the mental health charity Gotcha4Life.”

And finally, Mark has asked that if you or someone you know is struggling – reach out. There is no judgement from those that care about you.