For 25 years, Raewyn Bailey ran her own successful recruitment business, RB Recruitment.

Selling the company in 2017, she has since worked in philanthropy, joining the board of the Mental Awareness Foundation (MAF) in 2019. Fuelled by her passion to reduce the rates of suicide in Australia last year Bailey took on the role as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the Foundation and its keystone event, the Walk for Awareness.

“I was asked to join the board in January 2019 by the Chair Aaron Zamykal but coincidentally had gone to the inaugural walk nine years prior with my husband as he knew the co-founders – Wes and Tudor Vasile. Bailey is driven to make a difference to mental health and awareness and has a personal connection to mental illness. “I have always believed you should have a role you are passionate about, and this is that role for me! I have been personally affected by mental illness and want to make a difference to people’s lives to help reduce the frightening statistics of suicide in Australia.

“At 17 my whole world changed when I lost my father to suicide. I can understand the pain, guilt and regret those that are left behind feel. I hope that by reducing the stigma around suicide and opening up conversations we can save lives,” said Bailey. “I think we all have a connection to mental health. Haven’t we all had a friend or family member who might not be coping, at some stage in their lives? By raising awareness, we give people hope and let them know they are not alone,” Bailey added.

The Walk for Awareness, now in its 11th year, has grown radically in participation. The inaugural event hosted just 110 participants, eleven years on and the 2021 event is hoping to draw over 3000 walkers in Brisbane and virtually across the country. The Walk for Awareness is the first major event of the 2021 Queensland Mental Health Week (9-17 October).

Registrations are now open here for those looking to make a change around mental health awareness: https://www.walkforawareness.org.au/ The Mental Awareness Foundation supports charities that are on the frontline assisting people who are struggling with mental health issues. It achieves this through the delivery of experiences and events including the Walk for Awareness, Australia’s largest mental health walk on Sunday, 10 October 2021.

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