Saturday, July 4, 2009

Trio walk from Sydney to Brisbane to tackle depression

Brisbane northside residents Jack Clarke, Peter Johnston and Matt Gardner, 22, have started a 23-day walk from Sydney to Brisbane to promote mental health.

A Queensland graphic designer who lost his mother to suicide last year is walking from Sydney to Brisbane with two mates to raise awareness of depression.

Peter Johnston will tell high school students along the 1000-kilometre route where they can find help to deal with their problems.

The 22-year-old video producer, whose mother killed herself after a 10-year battle with depression, joined his friends Matt Gardner and Jack Clarke at the Sydney Opera House early this morning to set off on the 23-day trek.

Mr Johnston grew up with his mum after his parents separated, but she felt isolated as a deaf woman and had attempted suicide several times.

"Being a kid in that situation, you don't know what to do," he said.

"When I was 14 I actually became her legal carer. That makes you grow up pretty fast."

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