Ms Griffin lives with anxiety herself and is passionate about helping people manage their mental health issues. 

“A couple of people I know have committed suicide in the last couple of years, and I seem to hear about it more and more,” Ms Griffin said. 

“I also have someone very close to me going through some very intense therapy for mental health at the moment.”

She says helping people living with mental health issues holds a “special” place in her heart.

That is why she put together a fundraiser in May to raise money to support people living with  mental illness. 

The gym hosted a 24-hour treadmill marathon on May 29 and 30. 

The 26 sponsored participants raised $400 while they walked, ran and even skipped on the gym’s treadmills in increments ranging from 15 minutes to one-and-a-half hours. 

The gym matched the money raised dollar-for-dollar, meaning $800 was raised. 

The money will go towards a mental health fitness program ‘Act Belong Commit’ in October,  which will be run by the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Rural And Remote Mental Health (CRRMH). 

CRRMH executive officer of programs Trevor Hazell said the program would challenging people to be more mentally healthy by belonging and actively participating with family or in the community, and to commit to something they think is worthwhile. 

“These three domains of behaviour people can use to be more mentally healthy,” Mr Hazell said. 

“Whether you have a mental health problem or not, we all need to work on being mentally healthy, just as we need to work on being physically healthy by having the right diet, getting enough sleep and getting enough exercise.”

Mr Hazel says doing something worthwhile is good for you personally, whether you’re doing it for yourself or others, as it puts you in a positive mental space. 

‘Act Belong Commit’ is still in planning, but will be formally launched soon. 

Before then Mr Hazell said people should still be active in mental health maintenance, assessment or treatment.

“The first thing I would say to anyone who is worrying too much or having long periods of low mood, it may not be signs of a mental illness, but it is a form of suffering. But if it is a sign of physical suffering such as low mood and being fearful or worrying too much people need to talk to someone,” he said. 

“To look away from it can cause a lot of damage to yourself and the people around you ... treatment can actually avoid progression to a mental illness if people speak up early.”

If you feel like you need to talk to someone contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support or contact your GP. 

ashlea.pritchard@fairfaxmedia.com.au