The Man Walk started in 2018 when Mark Burns began a walking group with his mates on the South Coast of New South Wales and they began noticing a positive difference in their mental health.

The idea has since grown into a global movement with men lacing up to walk, talk and support across 78 locations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Now the Fleurieu has joined the community with the Victor Harbour Man Walk starting at the Causeway Café every Thursday at 8am.

The walk is a partnership between Fleurieu Families and The Man Walk to provide a chance for local men to befriend and support each other in an inclusive, judgement-free environment.

One of the original Man Walkers, Damien Clydesdale, said the group knew they were onto something good early on.

“We all noticed a difference amongst ourselves about how we felt about the day and our mood and what we achieved during the day just by getting up a bit earlier and changing our routines,” he said.

Mental health organisation Beyond Blue reported an average of one in eight men experience depression and one in five experience anxiety during their lifetime.

They also reported that males make up seven out of nine suicides every day in Australia.

Man Walk founder Mark Burns said that walking, talking and supporting helps relieve this because “us blokes, we’re not a particularly smart species, so we need a bit of help”.

“Once our sporting careers have often finished, we’re into our 30s and 40s and we’re working hard in our businesses and trying to be really good dads and fathers, we lose that connection with our mates and we socially isolate,” he said.

“I think just getting out for a walk… telling some stories and listening, there’s real power in that.”

The community has received incredible support online from those commending the idea and those who had a positive experience in the community.

One Facebook user wrote, “Great place to meet other guys who are doing life the same as you – a place where questions can be asked without fear of prejudice or shame and questions are answered truthfully and from other viewpoints than your own.”

For those further inland, you can join The Man Walk in Unley at 8am every Saturday. Details of all walks can be found at The Man Walk website.