Login
Login

Walking Through the Heavy Days For Your Mates- 1000km for Black Dog

By Cameron Brick Join Me

My Activity Tracking

1,003
kms

My target 1000 kms

Help me make it meaningful

From July 1 to my birthday on August 7, I’m walking and running 1,000km in 38 days, to challenge myself, and to speak openly about something I’ve often kept quiet mental health.

This isn’t just about me. I know and see so many mates who are struggling, sometimes silently, sometimes visibly and sometimes without even realising how much they’re carrying. Some are in the middle of it right now. Others are supporting someone they care about through it. And some are grieving someone they’ve lost. And some are longing for the past.

Like many people, I’ve had periods where I’ve really struggled. I’ve had dark days and heavy seasons. I’ve done a lot of work to get to a healthier place but recently, I realised I still carry shame. I still hesitate to ask for help or lean in to some heavy thoughts when I need to.

It hit me on a flight back from Perth for work. I sat down on the plane and, without warning, I just started crying. I didn’t even know why. Nothing huge had happened, Had just had positive outcomes for work and good feedback, but everything had quietly built up without me noticing over time, and I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Personal stress. Work pressure. Family stress. Exhaustion. Self-doubt. All stacked on top of each other. I felt overwhelmed and completely alone. And in that moment, a part of me just wanted to disappear.

The next day, after a conversation with some colleagues, they mentioned support services. I dismissed it almost immediately — even laughed at the idea. Not me, I thought. Then I reflected and caught myself. Why? Why did I react like that? Why do I still see asking for help as a weakness, even after everything I’ve learned? Why did I deflect, look away, or laugh it off? And if I want to support others, how can I do that if I won't let myself be supported?

It’s scary to admit you’re not okay. It’s even scarier to let someone see you like that. But I’ve learned that hiding it doesn’t protect you. It just isolates you.

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians every year. It doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve achieved. It shows up quietly. And if left unspoken, it can take over your life.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 44. Seven men die by suicide every single day in Australia. That breaks my heart.

We need to talk about it. We need to check in on our mates. And we need to stop pretending we’re fine when sometimes we’re not. It is okay.

This challenge isn’t just about running or walking. It’s about showing up and speaking up; for myself and for others. It’s about raising awareness, learning to find comfort in discomfort, and trying to make a change.

I’m raising funds for the Black Dog Institute, whose work in mental health research, early intervention, and suicide prevention is saving lives.

If you can, please donate. But if you can’t that’s okay. You can still be part of this. Send a message. Check in on someone. Share your story. You never know how much it might mean.

Let’s walk. Let’s talk. Let’s make space for what’s real.
Bricky

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$1,635

My Goal

$1,500

Select amount to donate

$50
$75
$125
$450
$
Donate

All payments are secure & encrypted

My Achievements

My Updates

When My Mind Won

Friday 25th Jul
One of the biggest commitments I made in taking on this 1,000km challenge wasn’t just the distance. It was to speak openly. To talk about the things I usually keep quiet. And today, that means sharing something I’m not proud of.

My confidence has taken a hit lately. I’ve really felt it. I’ve been trying to push through by leaning into discomfort, stepping outside my comfort zone, and showing up in new spaces. It’s easy to pretend everything’s fine. It’s harder to be honest when it’s not.

Yesterday, I lost a battle.

I had decided to go to a social event where I didn’t know anyone. I was nervous, but I was committed. I made the effort, travelled into the city, and even felt a flicker of excitement. I was proud of myself for saying yes.
But then something shifted.

A pit settled in my stomach. That creeping fear kicked in. The fear of not belonging, of being judged, of standing out for the wrong reasons. The anxiety wasn’t loud at first, just a whisper, but step by step, it took over. Until I couldn’t move. My shoes might as well have been glued to the footpath. I just froze.

That earlier excitement turned into complete paralysis. I stopped thinking about what I could bring and became consumed by everything I might get wrong. How I looked. How I might be perceived. What people might think.
And just like that, I missed the moment.

It’s easy to blame it on other things. I hadn’t slept well. I’ve been unwell. Work has been heavy. Traffic was bad, and I was running late. Those things may have contributed, but the truth is, my mind won yesterday. That voice that feeds you self-doubt. That second-guesses your worth. That replays worst-case scenarios on a loop. That voice was louder than me.

Most days, I win. Most days, I push through. But not this day. And that hurts.

It cost me an opportunity I really cared about. I can’t recreate it. What’s done is done. But I’ve realised something important. This isn’t just about stress or tiredness. It’s a sign that something needs attention. It needs care. It needs action.

The hardest part was that I couldn’t even tell myself it was okay. I was extremely self-critical.

It’s funny. People see me speak, present, interact, and they often assume I’m confident. But what they don’t see is the internal battle I fight with confidence and self-doubt, more often than I care to admit.

If there’s one takeaway I’d offer, it’s this. Be mindful of how others might be feeling. Not everyone shows their struggles. Sometimes a kind word, a warm welcome, or even just noticing someone can make all the difference.
In a world where it’s easy to tear ourselves and each other down, try building someone up. You never know the weight they’re carrying. If you have the chance to offer kind words, take it.

And to those feeling the same way, you’re not alone.
Bricky

Day 5: My feet are hurting, but that’s not the hardest part

Saturday 5th Jul
Five days in and the blisters have started. My legs ache and my body’s tired. But honestly, that pain is nothing compared to the weight of opening up. Especially when you’ve done it before and been met with silence or judgment.
This challenge is about more than just distance. It’s about breaking the silence around mental health, its about being open and vulnerable and pushing for change and raising awareness. And along the way, I’ve had people reach out with support and encouragement. I’ve also had some negative experiences and people calling me weak or question what this is all for.
It hurt, but I understand. Everyone’s on their own journey, shaped by their own experiences. Not everyone knows how to sit with emotions especially someone else’s. And that’s okay.
But here’s what I ask: try to stay open. Try to listen. Even if you don’t fully get it. You never know what someone’s carrying behind closed doors.
If you can’t donate, that’s completely fine. What matters just as much is checking in on your mates, creating space for honest conversations, and remembering that every feeling is valid.
It’s okay to feel what you feel. You should never be judged for it. Keep speaking up. Keep supporting each other. That’s how change happens.
Thanks for being here.
Bricky

Thank you to my Sponsors

$125

Kizza

Hey Mate, Such a good cause thanks for raising awareness. Legend

$54.12

Louise Cu

Great cause All our love the Cunningham’s

$106.12

Anne Brick

Just know your loved

$25

Anonymous

$54.12

Anonymous

Keep ticking along mate!

$80.25

Anonymous

Cam—your courage is inspirational! Every step you take, blistered feet or heavy thoughts, speaks volumes. The strength and determination you’ve shown are genuinely admirable, but it’s your honesty that moves mountains. Keep showing up, speaking up, and shining that light.

$54.12

Anonymous

$211

Spillers

Hey mate, so very proud of you and what you have set out to do!! Hold your head high and look forward with each and every step and DO NOT EVER doubt yourself!! You have so many amazing people backing you, guiding you and those who are and ALWAYS will be there for you!! Shine!!

$54.12

Anonymous

You’re an inspiration 🙌🏼

$106.12

Meghan Pinney

$80.25

Soph Wong

$54.12

John Seal

Good luck Cam. I know where you can get some new runners if you need them.

$54.12

Anonymous

$54.12

Anonymous

Top Work Mate, keep up the awareness and keep the efforts going.

$54.12

Amanda & Ross Watson

Impressive effort Cam. 🤞 keep up being you!!

$54.12

Sarah

Beautifully said Cameron. Just being human can be really hard. Let's keep Initiating honest conversations about this.

$50

Shari

Such an important cause, great job so far and goodluck for the rest!

$263.75

Gerard Brick

Go get it I am sure you will succeed so putting in before you even get close to the end

$80.25

Anonymous

I admire your resolve to turn it into something beneficial to the community

$20

Anonymous