By PETER DOUGLAS
THREE Dandenong Ranges friends and avid walkers are preparing to undertake an epic Spanish pilgrimage, while aiming to raise awareness about the impacts of mental illness.
Cheryl McInnes of Belgrave, Kym Murphy of Kalorama, and Tony Whyte of Monbulk will later this month join walkers from over the world taking part in the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, an 884-kilometre journey from the French Pyrenees to the north-west of Spain.
Teaming up with Wellways Australia, a not-for-profit mental health and disability support organisation, the trio will undertake the journey for the ‘1 Million Steps for Mental Health’ event.
For the trio, the desire to walk the Camino again is about promoting a better understanding of mental illness.
Ms McInnes said the trio felt extremely motivated to complete the journey.
“We each know, from personal experience in our own family, about the impacts of mental illness,” she said.
“We also know what a difference the right kinds of support can make.”
Ms McInness has two adult sons, one of whom has a mental illness.
“I am grateful for the quality of life he has, and for the intelligent and beautiful human being that he is,” she said.
“I’ve learned so much about the serious stigma that exists in the broader community around mental illness, based on a lack of understanding.”
Ms Murphy, a mother of four who completed her first Camino in 2014, has a background in the community health sector and as an alcohol and drug counsellor in a maximum security prison.
“When I worked as a prison counsellor, I was surprised at the number of people with mental illness,” she said.
“Sadly, the stigma associated with mental illness is enough to prevent people from sharing their plight.
“And often it’s too late that all is revealed.
“With the longing to walk the Camino again, came the desire to do it for something bigger than me, something that would benefit the global community.
“We’re ready to walk and make that happen.”
Meanwhile, Tony met Cheryl and Kym on the Camino in 2014, when they were each embarking on their first one.
They became good friends, having a common love of the Dandenong Ranges.
“We hope our Camino experience will inspire and help others understand mental health issues,” he said.
Tony will also use the time on his journey to reflect on a personal loss, the death of his eldest daughter in 2005.
“She had a mental illness which we believe was bipolar disorder, undiagnosed, as she refused medical help or medication,” he said.
“She had this condition for about 17 years until she died, which ultimately affected the whole family in various ways.”
Several friends, along with other pilgrims, will accompany the trio from late August to mid-October.
MI Fellowship, which is changing its name to Wellways, supports thousands of people affected by mental illness each year to bring about positive change and build good lives in their communities.
From 26 August, the trio can be followed on their blog at www.travelpod.com/members/camino16.
Donations to support Wellways’ work in the community can be made at www.mifellowship.org/donate.
