Mat

I'm swimming to save lives

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people in Australia, and that statistic hits close to home for me.

Mental health isn’t something I’ve only read about or seen from the outside. It’s something I’ve lived with, struggled through, and continue to work on every day. I know how isolating it can feel, how hard it is to speak up, and how easy it is to believe you have to carry everything on your own.

More than one in three young people are experiencing mental health difficulties, yet over a million aren’t getting the support they need. Sometimes it’s because they don’t know where to turn. Other times, it’s because asking for help face to face feels overwhelming or impossible.

That’s why ReachOut is so important. They provide anonymous, free, and fully online support so young people can find a safe place to connect, talk, and get help when life feels like too much.

My motto, “Still Standing, Still Fighting,” is a testament to my ongoing battle with mental health. It represents choosing to keep going even on the hard days, and continuing to show up even when things feel heavy. It’s a message I live by, and one I’ll continue to carry forward.

I’m taking part in Laps for Life because I genuinely believe these services save lives. If sharing my experience and pushing myself in the pool helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth every lap.

If you’re able to, I’d really appreciate your support through a donation to my fundraiser. It helps make sure these vital services are always there for the people who need them most.