Sometimes when you’re struggling with your mental health, getting up and saying “yes” can be really hard. It’s common to let opportunities pass you by and say “no” to everything when you’re spending all your mental energy in the fight for wellbeing.

When you’re struggling, it’s important to focus on one step at a time. Metaphorically and literally – putting one foot in front of the other and celebrating each small goal is so important. Saying “yes” to one step is easier than saying “yes” to a marathon, after all.

This November we are changing the tune to say YESvember instead of NOvember. Say YES to putting one foot in front of the other and creating some forward momentum in the name of suicide prevention. YES we can do this! Get your workmates, friends, and family together and create a shared step goal this month and say YES as a group to bettering mental health!

Get your mates to sponsor your steps, and help us raise funds to support people who are saying YES to bettering their mental health by accessing peer support and counselling through Life Matters. Every step and every dollar counts!

Your goals are personal. Perhaps getting out of bed and saying yes to a walk is a big commitment for you, or perhaps you and your dog regularly go for long walks. Whatever your activity level, we have some suggestions for you to get moving and fundraising!

• Say YES to taking 538 steps for suicide prevention each day in YESvember – that’s a step in honour of each life lost to suicide in the last year.

• Raise $538 in YESvember to help us fund 5 counselling sessions for someone in a suicidal crisis.

• Get together with friends or co-workers and work together to walk 538km in YESvember.

Whatever your goal, big or small, we appreciate your involvement this YESvember. Join us from anywhere in the country, and on social media to share snaps of your walks with the hashtag #yesvember2022