MAARI MA SUPPORTING AWARENESS RAISING WALK FOR PTSD, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation is one of a number of organisations supporting a Broken Hill police officer who will be walking from Wilcannia to Broken Hill to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental health and suicide prevention.
The week long walk starting next week will be the third for Senior Constable Stuart Churchill who last year walked from Menindee to Broken Hill and from Newcastle to Sydney the year before that.
Maari Ma Manager Community Services and Program, Justin Files, said any event that raises awareness of PTSD, mental health and suicide prevention deserves to be supported.
“Latest statistics show that the rate of suicide in remote and very remote Australia is almost double the rate in major cities and the rate of suicide in rural areas is about 40% higher than in major cities.
“We whole heartedly support Senior Constable Churchill and commend him in his efforts to help raise awareness so that people who may be experiencing difficulty know they are not alone and that there are services in our region that can help them” Mr Files said.
Senior Constable Churchill will be starting his walk from Wilcannia on Monday morning 15th May with the midway point at Little Topar on Friday the 19th and ending in Broken Hill on Monday the 22nd.
People are invited to join him during his walk whether it be for just a few kilometres or part of the support crew.
Mr Files said Maari Ma health workers will be conducting health checks, Maari Ma dietitians will be providing some meals such as damper and stew, staff will be organising a welcome dinner at Little Topar, and arranging a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country on his arrival into Broken Hill.
“It’s expected Senior Constable Churchill will be escorted into Broken Hill around midday by the Harley Club and Rotary will host a BBQ lunch.
“We wish Senior Constable Churchill all the very best on his walk and congratulate him on his awareness raising efforts” he said.
Senior Constable Churchill is also being supported by New South Wales Police Association, Silver City Motors (Broken Hill), Harvey Norman Broken Hill, Totally Work Wear (Broken Hill), Broken Hill Meats, New South Wales Police Shop (Goulburn Police Academy ), Tri State Safaris (Broken Hill), McLeod’s Bakery (Broken Hill), Southern Cross News ( Broken Hill Patrick REINKIE) and Coles Supermarkets (Broken Hill).
ENDS
12th May 2017
For more information
Senior Constable Stuart Churchill
0459 194 189
Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Worker, David Doyle
8082 9777