A couple and their dogs who walked through Northam during a two-week fundraising trek from Kalgoorlie to Perth have reached their final destination.
Todd Belcher and Charlotte McCully, alongside their dogs Sally and Pearl, arrived in Perth on Wednesday following pit-stops in Grass Valley and Northam last Friday.
The two-week 'Black Dog Blue Dog Walk' totaling more than 600km was inspired by Mr Belcher's own mental health journey.
"My depression was completely undiagnosed until I was 38, at which point I went through a family breakup and could no longer hide my emotions and had a meltdown at work," he said.
"The Black Dog can be a terrible beast.
"When it takes hold it does not matter about the good in your life, because you can't see it.
"It does not matter that your loved ones are telling you positive things and surrounding you with love because you can't hear, or feel those things.
"You spend all your time pushing those who love you the most away.
"Having worked in the mining industry for 30 years I would like to raise awareness of depression in our industry.
"We will be talking about depression in the mining industry, because it is real, and I challenge those of you who are suffering to seek help and talk to someone.
"I challenge others in the industry to learn to recognise when a peer or workmate is struggling and have the courage to ask if everything is okay.
"Don't just keep the Black Dog on the leash, but train it to do as it's told."
Last Friday's leg included an extra walker, Shire of Northam president Chris Antonio, who joined the pair for 14km from Grass Valley to Northam.
"Having Chris walk alongside us was great - he is a very busy man and was so generous with his time," Mr Belcher said.
"The amazing community support in the Wheatbelt has been unbelievable.
"We have had people driving past stop in the middle of nowhere to give donations.
"We have covered around 42km a day.
"The first few days we were managing great but then I started to get blisters, so that has slowed things down a bit.
"When you think of the hardships some people go through in their everyday lives, a couple of blisters is nothing."
Mr Belcher said sharing his story had become easier over time.
"It was hard work at the start sharing my story because it is such a personal thing," he said.
"As time goes on rather than talking about it myself, people have started coming up to me and asking.
"When you ask the question 'are you okay?' be prepared for the answer - it is not always the answer you expect or want to hear."
Money raised from the walk is being donated to mental health research and support service the Black Dog Institute. To donate and read more of Mr Belcher's story, visit everydayhero.com and search 'Black Dog Blue Dog Walk'.
