MEMBER for Ripon Louise Staley has called on the community to support Stawell's Lauren Dempsey as she strives to raise money and awareness for mental health.
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Ms Dempsey, a young woman who works in health promotion in the Grampians region, is about to embark on the 'Trek for Happiness' in Bhutan later this year, in an effort to raise money to assist the Black Dog Institute further boost mental health.
Ms Dempsey, herself once diagnosed with depression, is also the chairperson of Youth Action Council in Northern Grampians Shire.
In the lead up to this year's trek Ms Dempsey has been balancing her training with a strenuous fundraising campaign and has so far been able to fundraise just under $2000.
Ms Staley has met with Ms Dempsey and said it was great to see such a young person take on the challenge and has called on the community to support her campaign.
"It's inspirational to see a young person like Lauren take on such a huge challenge for such a great cause. I hope the entire greater Grampians community gets behind her," Ms Staley said.
"Mental health still has a strong stigma in our society. Campaigns such as this support the good work being done by the Black Dog Institute to help remove this barrier once and for all."
Ms Dempsey said she had been thrilled by the response she had received so far but needed more support to help with the battle against mental illness.
"One in five Australians are affected by mental illness every year. Mental illness can be crippling and isolating," she said.
"It is also treatable, however only 45 per cent of people with a mental illness will actually seek appropriate treatment.
"The money raised for Black Dog Institute will go towards saving lives by empowering communities through education, reducing the stigma of mental health as well as providing innovative, effective and accessible treatment strategies for those living with a mental illness."
To make a donation to Ms Dempsey's campaign please visit: http://bhutantrektohappiness.gofundraise.com.au/page/LaurenDempsey, or follow her journey on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/trektohappiness
For more information on depression and anxiety please contact Marianne at the Black Dog Institute - M.burke@blackdog.org.au