On Saturday 12 September 2020, 600 firefighters and other emergency service personnel would have stepped up to fight depression, post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) and suicide by climbing the 28 floors of Crown Metropol hotel wearing 25kgs of turnout gear and breathing apparatus.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb has taken a new approach.
This year the climb has gone virtual and you can get involved.
From now until World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October you can start climbing, whether it be your back steps, the stairs at your local park or even a milk crate in the lounge room.
Latest figures show 3,046 Australians lose their lives to suicide each year, so we are asking you to climb at least 3,046 steps over the next month.
Collectively we can climb a million steps for mental health and make a difference.
The campaign will raise money for the Melbourne Lifeline service, which is operated by Uniting Vic.Tas, the Black Dog Institute and the 000 Foundation.
The stair climb aims to raise $500,000 to improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of mental health issues like depression, PTSI and suicide.
It costs $50 to register.
For more information or to register, visit www.firefighterclimb.org.au
