A charity walk to raise awareness of mental health issues has been held at Edge Hill University.
The Dose of Nature charity walk, which took place on Monday 10th November, was attended by Mike Palmer, one of the dads involved in 3 Dads Walking.
This is the third Dose of Nature walk the Ormskirk-based university has hosted.
3 Dads Walking was formed by three fathers who tragically each lost a daughter to suicide.
The trio raises awareness and money for mental health and suicide prevention charities.
So far, the trio have walked over 1,500 miles and raised £1.5 million for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
Mike said “We’ve been campaigning since 2021 because we believe that many families don’t have to go through this horrendous situation of losing loved ones to suicide.”
(Photo: Mike Palmer)
He added: “Suicide always attracts a stigma as in people don’t want to talk about it. They feel unable to reach out because they feel as though they’re going to be judged.”
The Dose of Nature walk highlights the shifting attitudes towards mental health and suicide, encouraging people to speak about how they feel in a friendly environment with others in nature.
Palmer believed the walk would help people open up and enjoy the great outdoors.
Mike and 3 Dads Walking aim to get suicide prevention on UK school curriculums, and with events like Dose of Nature they highlight the growing awareness of mental health, suicide prevention and the changing attitudes and stigma surrounding the topic.
Listen to more from Mike here:
Featured image: Mike Palmer
