Brad McCabe never really understood depression until about three years ago.
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Then his brother Tom took his own life and since then three other friends have died by suicide.
On Saturday Mr McCabe begins a Murray River journey of 2200 kilometres between Albury and Goolwa, South Australia, to increase awareness of depression.
Both rowing and paddling his 4.8 metre canoe, Mr McCabe will also raise money for mental health support charity Beyond Blue.
Since starting his Facebook page Rowing for a Cause 10 days ago, Mr McCabe has raised more than $8700.
Although an idea for ages, the trip was only planned just before Christmas, with Mr McCabe taking advantage of a slow work period in Darwin, where he lives.
Originally from Kaniva, he has friends and family members who will join him when they can, but otherwise he’ll be going solo, carrying his own food, tent and swag.
“It’s more of a challenge for me as well, to see if I can actually do it, mentally,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of music to listen to and a lot of books to read.
“I’m always up for meeting people, I’m a pretty outgoing person, I like to talk to people.”
The topic of depression could come up sometimes.
“That’s the whole thing about it, you get it out there, so people don’t struggle so much,” Mr McCabe said.
“Tom kind of hid it, like most people do, I suppose.
“He never talked about it, and once you’d start talking to him, he just shut down and by then it was just way too late.”
Mr McCabe intends to row about 40 kilometres a day, but isn’t tied down to a set schedule.
“I’m doing it on the wing and just see how we go,” he said. “If you organise too much, then it’s not much of an adventure really, is it?
“You’ve got to deal with things as you go along.
“I’ll just row until I feel like I’ve had enough, and pull up on the side of the bank and pitch my tent.
“I probably wouldn’t be doing it if I thought too much about it.”
- Donate to Rowing for a Cause through the Everyday Hero website
- If you or someone you know need support, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14