Taking a hike for suicide awareness
COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION
Charged with wilful emotion, local Marissa Scopelliti will confront the harrowing Larapinta Trail to raise funds and awareness for the RUOK? foundation, a charity that has deep roots in her life since being touched by suicide and mental illness.
This September as she braves the gruelling five-day, 60-kilometre trek in the West Macdonald Ranges N.T., she will be heavily carrying the memory of her brother Daniel who she lost by suicide.
Along with the emotional and physical challenges, Marissa has set herself a lofty fundraising goal to raise $3500.00, all of which will go directly to RUOK?
She is inviting the community to help by donating to her challenge in the hopes that we can all transcend the taboo surrounding mental health issues and ask each other RUOK?
“The reason I have chosen to support RUOK? is close to my heart, as I lost my dear brother to suicide in early 2019, Daniel was an amazing and kind person who trained extremely hard as a bodybuilder.
“He was an Aviation Engineer, and he was one of the tops in his field, he loved music and was a passionate reptile carer.
“Unfortunately, we did not know that under the surface he was not coping.
“It has taken me years to come to terms with this loss and it was a very big struggle at first, I will be trekking the Larapinta in his honour this September,” said Ms Scopelliti.
Working as a Community Development Worker, Marissa has seen firsthand the anguish of people struggling with mental illness and believes in the importance for us all to look out for each other's physical and mental health.
“I decided to take on this challenge to show myself and the world that those who struggle with mental illness can recover and achieve great things when given the support of those around them.
“I have suffered personally with mental illness and have been blessed with the support of those around me who cared enough to notice that I was not ok.
“With the help of my workplace, Port Douglas Community Services Network I am striving to promote awareness on suicide prevention and the importance of community support,” said Ms Scopelliti.
Marissa has started her fundraising with the support of family, friends, and the Port Douglas Community Services Network, however, she still has a mountainous way to go to summit her goal.
“I am on my way to reaching my fundraising goal of $3,500, thanks to the support from my workplace, my family, and friends.
“However, I have not reached half of my goal yet, and would love to get there before the trek in September,” she said.
If you would like to help Marissa on her fundraising journey you can donate here.
If you know or suspect someone is grappling with the throws of life - connect, ask RUOK? Sometimes it is that simple insight they need to open up their truth to nuance a discussion that may better help them face the circumstances that have left them feeling alone.
The Larapinta Trail
In the heart of Australia across the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Larapinta Trail is one of the country’s most underrated treks that takes you on a journey through some of the most incredible ancient landscapes that can challenge the most seasoned hiker.
Tackling the challenging terrain takes months of training as the unruly landscape can take you by surprise, lucky for Marissa this will be her second kick at the can.
This time she is walking it for a special cause, motivated by creating awareness for suicide prevention while setting a fundraising challenge with Inspired Adventures to raise vital funds for RUOK?
She has taken her training very seriously clocking up the kilometres around the region.
“I have been keeping motivated with the support of my personal trainer and friend Sarah Cutting, as well as the amazing beaches and mountain trails within our beautiful shire.
"I am training with Sarah Cutting, a personal trainer from the Mossman Health Club as well as enjoying Yoga classes at Port Douglas Yoga Shala and Kundalini yoga with Brooke Tera Sundri in Mossman,” said Ms Scopelliti.
RUOK?
RUOK? Is a charity that works within remote and regional communities in Australia to create conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.
Through education and awareness RUOK? Encourages community members to support each other’s mental health through life’s ups and downs, by learning what to say if they notice someone who seems to be down, is having suicidal thoughts, or the intention to self-harm.
RUOK? Day is 9 September; however, the national day is a call-to-action reminder to all Australians that every day is a good day to reach out to a mate in your world who may be struggling and ask RUOK?
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
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