Active challenge comes to a close today
Three Deniliquin educators who have put their bodies on the line and fitness to the test will finish their Be Active challenges today.
Brenda Norman, Josh Perizzolo and Mark Peterson all started their personal physical challenges on Monday. to raise awareness of and generate discussions surrounding mental health.
Ms Norman has completed a 20km swim of the Edward River each day this week, with an average swim time of about 31⁄2 hours each day.
Her final leg will be this morning. Mr Peterson launched his kayak at Tocumwal on Monday, and will paddle into Deniliquin today.
Mr Perizzolo has been virtually climbing Mount Kosciusko each day, using an indoor trainer with digital platform.
With an average elevation gain of about 2229, and 66km travelled, Mr Perizollo has completed his climbs in just over three hours each day.
He said he’s taken a little longer to complete the climb each day to ‘‘pace myself’’.
Last year, Mr Perizzolo rode 800km on local roads over the week, and said this year has been quite difference.
‘‘The thing I have found this year to last, is you can’t really slack off.
‘‘You are constantly moving your legs.’’ Mr Perizzolo said he and the other teachers have received some great feedback from the community this week via the Deni 5 in 5 Facebook page, but said they know they are reaching more people through their efforts than they realise.
‘‘What is common among young people, is they might not engage much with what we are doing on social media but they will want to ask us about it when school goes back next week.
‘‘That’s the whole idea of this — to get the message out there.
‘‘And our message is about not just being active during this week, or during Mental Health Month, but all the time.
‘‘Self care should be something we look at all the time.
‘‘You don’t have to climb a mountain, swim 100km or paddle 150km — even a little bit of activity is good for the brain and the body.’’
The three teachers aim to come together today at the Crossing Cafe in Deniliquin to talk about their experiences.
Be Active is just one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing being explored as part of the Deni 5 in 5 challenge this Mental Health Month.
The others are Connect, Keep Learning, Be Aware and Help Others.
Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group member Lourene Liebenberg said community members are enocuraged to take part in challenges each week.
Ideas on how you can do that, and a community forum based on the challenges, is available at www.facebook.com/groups/281073776913194.
For information on mental health services and resources, visit the MHAG website — www.denimentalhealth.org.au/mhm.