Man Embarks on Extensive British Coastal Walk for Men’s Mental Health Awareness

An individual has commenced an extensive 11,000-mile (17,700 km) journey by foot along the British coastline. The purpose of this endeavor is to elevate public understanding of men’s mental well-being. Jason Holbrook, a resident of Telford, Shropshire, stated his intention to also collect funds for six charitable organizations. He anticipates concluding the expedition within 18 months, having begun on Friday in Barmouth, Gwynedd. His trek involves carrying a 25kg (55lb) backpack, which holds a tent and other camping gear. He described this by saying he was “carrying the house on my back”. The ex-soldier disclosed his personal struggles with mental health issues, adding, “I suppose I’m going out there to find myself.” Mr. Holbrook indicated that the charities he is supporting hold personal significance for him, as each has provided assistance to him, his family, or friends at various times. He recounted experiencing mental health challenges from an early age and enduring multiple adversities, including periods of ill health, a family separation, and an assault by a burglar. “One of the problems that I suffered with is not speaking about it,” he stated, expressing his desire to motivate other men to discuss their difficulties openly. Mr. Holbrook mentioned that his inspiration for undertaking the coastal expedition came from Chris Lewis, another former serviceman who successfully completed the same charitable journey in 2023. He commenced his walk from Barmouth on Friday morning, intending to proceed in an anti-clockwise direction along the coastline. In the course of his preparations for the walk, Mr. Holbrook reported covering distances of up to 20 miles (32km) daily. However, he anticipated that factors such as fatigue, adverse weather conditions, and the absence of a proper bed could diminish this daily mileage. He further indicated an expectation of encountering cold days along the Scottish coast, during which he might doubt the prudence of his undertaking. Nevertheless, he affirmed, “It’s something I want to achieve.” He also commented, “A lot of it is mental, I learnt that in the army. It doesn’t matter how physically fit you are, if you aren’t mentally fit you aren’t going to make it through.” Regarding the walk, he expressed a hope to cultivate self-reliance, noting that individuals experiencing mental health issues frequently place “too much reliance on other people”. Additionally, he aimed to develop control over his anxiety and gain insight into “the humanity of people”. For updates, BBC Shropshire can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.