EVENT DETAILS:
- What: Coastrek, Sunshine Coast
- When: Friday 17 July
- Distances: 20km, 30km, 50km
- To Donate: To support Coastrek and make a donation to Beyond Blue visit www.coastrek.com.au/donate
- Beyond Blue is dedicated to offering immediate, quality mental health support via phone
1300 22 46 36, email and webchat: www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support.
- For all national Coastrek event dates or to register for Coastrek, Sunshine Coast visit www.coastrek.com.au/events | Registration closes 7 June.
Coastrek Sunshine Coast Registrations Close 7 June
Australians are reaching out for mental health support in growing numbers. New data reveals demand for Beyond Blue’s free 24/7 Support Service has increased by 12% over the past 12 months, showing why accessible support is needed more than ever, as Coastrek continues its partnership with Beyond Blue.
Coastrek is calling on Australians to step up and step out for mental health through its iconic team hiking and fundraising challenge, with participants walking 20km, 30km or 50km along some of Australia’s most spectacular coastal routes.
Funds raised through Coastrek help support Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service, which provides free, immediate, and confidential mental health coaching to more than 800 people every day - with someone reaching out every two minutes.
For Brisbane local and Coastrek Community Ambassador Peta O’Brien, Coastrek became a crucial pillar of her healing journey following the devastating loss of her sister a few years ago. This year’s Coastrek will be her 9th event.
"I was having a really tough time dealing with grief. I started walking to clear my head, and it quickly became a healing routine," Peta said. "During this time, I reached out to the Beyond Blue Support Service, and they genuinely helped me navigate through my grief and see a way forward."
When Peta discovered Coastrek and its partnership with Beyond Blue, she knew she had to go "all in."
"I don't do things by halves. I figured if I'm going to do this, I'm going to give it everything - it’s the least I can do when I think of the pain people with mental health struggles go through. The training sessions help my fitness, but they are truly therapeutic for my soul. I’ve even made lifelong friends through the Coastrek community who are now a part of my daily life."
Further up the coast, Sunshine Coast mother of three, Sandi Gerschwitz, is preparing to tackle her fifth Coastrek on Friday 17 July. Sandi’s journey is one of immense physical and mental resilience; she was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2019 at age 45 after four years of unexplained, frightening symptoms, including phantom burning smells and loss of hand function.
While Sandi has pushed her boundaries globally - recently preparing for a gruelling 125km hike to Everest Base Camp - Coastrek remains incredibly close to her heart as a vital tool for her neurological and mental health.
Movement specialists emphasise that for neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's, forcing the body to move is critical to slow the disease's progression. For Sandi, having the event goal keeps her from becoming sedentary and helps fight off the anxiety and fatigue that often accompany the condition.
"Every step counts and knowing that my 5th time on the Coastrek trail is helping fund Beyond Blue's 24/7 Support Service keeps me moving," Sandi said. "Exercise is a case of 'use it or lose it' for my body, but it is equally vital for my mind."
Around 90% of Coastrekkers are women and over 61% of the contacts made to the Beyond Blue 24/7 Support Service each year are made by women, seeking advice and support either for themselves or for their loved ones.
Georgie Harman AO, Beyond Blue CEO, said stories like Peta and Sandi’s highlight the importance of having access to support early.
“We’re hearing from more people who are feeling unsettled or stretched across different parts of their lives," Ms. Harman said. “Too often, people delay reaching out because they worry about long wait times, cost, or they simply put their own wellbeing last.
"No one should carry these pressures alone. Having a mental health professional to talk to early helps people feel heard and better equipped. We’re incredibly grateful to Coastrek hikers like Peta and Sandi; funds raised with each step help ensure support is there when people need it most.”
Coastrek Founder Di Westaway OAM said the stories of Peta and Sandi epitomise why the hiking challenge exists.
“Every person who takes part in Coastrek has their own reason for showing up, and many are deeply personal,” Ms. Westaway said. “Coastrek offers a powerful, preventative approach to mental health by combining movement, nature, connection, and purpose. Right now, more Australians than ever are feeling overwhelmed, and that’s why this partnership with Beyond Blue is so important.”
“Coastrek is about getting people moving together in nature - which we know is incredibly powerful for mental health – but it’s also about supporting people earlier, before challenges escalate. It helps people feel better, build resilience, and stay well, while also fundraising to ensure Beyond Blue’s vital support service is there for those who need it most.”
Beyond Blue’s 2024 Mental Health and Wellbeing Check, which surveyed 5,000 Australians also found that 77% of those surveyed use exercise and 72% use time in nature to support their mental wellbeing, reinforcing the importance of initiatives like Coastrek.
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For more information, contact:
Marlene Richardson, GasbagPR, E: [email protected], M: 0409 888 218
About us:
About Coastrek
Coastrek is Australia’s iconic team hiking and fundraising challenge. Since Coastrek’s first event in 2009 over 90,000 people have trained and completed a Coastrek challenge and raised over $58 million for respected Australian charities including the Fred Hollows Foundation, the Heart Foundation and Beyond Blue. Visit www.coastrek.com.au. Coastrek was founded by Wild Women on Top, with the goal of championing women in the outdoors. Built around women’s wellbeing, connection and empowerment, Coastrek now welcomes everyone - men and women - to join the journey alongside friends, partners, families and colleagues. Today participants from all walks of life enjoy the exhilaration of a Coastrek Event Day, and the camaraderie of taking part together.
About Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue provides mental health information, support and advice to help everyone feel better earlier and stay well. Last year more than 300,000 people contacted Beyond Blue’s free, confidential, 24/7 Support Service. Call 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support
