They are stepping up to fight depression, PTSI (Post Traumatic Stress Injury) and suicide. They will climb the 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel in Melbourne fully laden down with 25kgs of breathing apparatus and ‘emergency turnout gear’.
Through their work, firefighters and other emergency service personnel are acutely aware that mental health has emerged as the underlying crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb team have also invited friends and supporters of the Emergency Service Community to join them “virtually” to climb a “MILLION STEPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH” together.
Virtual supporters are being asked to climb at least 3,139 steps over the course of 31 days, starting Wednesday 10th August and finishing Friday 10th September.
Why 3,139? This is sadly the number of Australians who lost their lives to suicide in 2020.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your back steps, some stairs at the local park or even a milk crate in the lounge room we are asking you to “step up” and get involved too by climbing 3,139 steps for Mental Health.
