A dedicated group of friends are gearing up for a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp, all in the name of raising deadly funds for Black Dog Institute’s First Nations Lived Experience Centre.

Led by Joshua Creamer, a Barrister of Waanyi and Kalkadoon descent, and Dr Clinton Schultz, Director of First Nations Strategy and Partnerships at Black Dog Institute, the Blak Trekkers represent a beacon of hope, resilience, and the commitment towards better ways for reconciliation and healing.

At the heart of this endeavour lies a deeply personal journey for Joshua Creamer who tragically lost his brother to suicide on Boxing Day 2022.

“Sadly, it is known that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are more likely to die by suicide than other groups of people in Australia. We know this statistic all too well, and we want this to change,” says Joshua Creamer.

“Through our expedition in March, we aim to raise awareness, foster understanding, and ignite hope within our communities. Every step we take is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by those affected by mental illness.”

Dr Clinton Shultz says his life has been marked by profound challenges, but through it all, he has found resilience and hopes to inspire others to address mental health issues with courage and openness.

“I’ve struggled through childhood abuse, grappled with destructive coping mechanisms, and faced the darkness of frequent suicidal thoughts. Overcoming these obstacles was a journey of resilience made possible through connecting to family, culture, and country. It has fuelled my passion for helping others facing similar battles.”

The mission of the Blak Trekkers is clear: to raise $50,000 for Black Dog Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre – the first of its kind in Australia and internationally.

“At Black Dog Institute, we recognise the value Lived Experience holds to inform and improve social and emotional wellbeing and reduce suicide rates,” says Dr Schultz.

“This Lived Experience Centre will be the conduit that links networks together to mobilise, amplify and enable the right people to have a seat at the table to deliver culturally focused and safe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led suicide prevention and mental wellbeing programs and initiatives.”

For more information or to support the cause, visit the Blak Trekkers fundraising page.