A WODONGA volunteer firefighter will visit the Wimmera as part of a 2500-kilometre bike ride to raise awareness about mental health issues.
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District 23 operations officer Terry Heafield will visit Country Fire Authority stations in Hopetoun and Horsham as part of his ‘don’t do it alone’ ride.
Mr Heafield will invite members to talk about coping mechanisms and mental health. Mr Heafield has experienced depression for the past three years. He is riding his bike to demonstrate his dedication to raising awareness of the importance of talking about, and seeking help for, mental health issues among firefighters.
“I’ve been a firefighter for 15 years and while it’s a rewarding career, it certainly comes with a range of pressures, which have impacted my mental health,” he said.
“While this will be a physical challenge, I see it as a visual representation of the internal battle people suffering from mental illnesses like depression and anxiety face.”
Mr Heafield will be in Hopetoun on August 7 and Horsham on August 8.