Man completes 654km in one week to raise mental health awareness despite foot injury

A man has completed his 654-kilometer run, one kilometer for every New Zealander who died by suicide in the year to June 2020, despite sustaining a possible fracture a third of the way.

Supporters gathered in Auckland Domain on Monday to watch 22-year-old Matt Fenn successfully complete the challenge.

Fenn, a West Auckland resident, is a volunteer ambassador for I AM HOPE, an initiative that helps connect youth with therapists and provides funding for counseling.

Exhausted, but with a smile on his face, Fenn said: “It has been a slow process to the end, so it is good to have that emotional moment crossing the finish line.”

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Fenn faced serious challenges during his marathon, the most notable of which was an injury to his foot, which appeared significantly bruised.

“We think it is a probable stress fracture that picked up about 200 kilometers after the race. Doing it with a possible broken foot was a bit more interesting, ”Fenn said.

Throughout the race, more than a thousand people came to support Fenn, some even running laps with him for support.

“The first night the race was reported on television, there were eight people running with me. It makes a huge difference, I couldn’t have done it without them.

“I really want to go to bed, the longest nap I took was only a few hours and during the 150 hours I was only able to sleep 12 hours and 15 minutes.

“By the third day I was falling asleep while running, and it got pretty dangerous at one point. It took me a full hour to do a lap, and I stumbled while doing it, but as soon as the sun came up I felt better. “

However, Fenn did not give up and emphasized the importance of his career.

“A lot of people don’t know how many people actually commit suicide in New Zealand, I don’t. Then I struggled with my own mental health and saw how suicide affected my family and friends. I wanted to complete this marathon so that people who felt this way could get help. “

The suicide rate in New Zealand is now 13.01 deaths per 100,000 people, up from 13.93.

Figures released by Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall showed that 654 people died by suicide in the year to June 2020.

Due to Fenn’s injury, it could be a long time before he can complete another challenge like this.

“I definitely have other awareness ideas in mind, but they may have to wait for now.”

However, it is clear that Fenn’s message-driven challenge has helped spark interest in physical and mental health.

“People have told me that they will run a half marathon for this and some people have even said that they will go to the gym tomorrow,” he said.

Where to get help

• 1737, do you need to talk? Call toll free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor.
• Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
• Depression.org.nz 0800111757 or text message 4202
• Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Life line 0800 543 354
• Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, click here to access your free resource and information service.
• Rural support trust 0800 787 254
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
• Supporting families with mental illness 0800 732 825
• thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626
• What happens 0800 942 8787 (from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone advice available from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 15:00 to 23:00. Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day.
• Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.
• If it is an emergency, Click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team.
• In a life-threatening situation, call 111.