Ultra Marathon

Coast 2 Coast across Bali

3 days

3 Marathons

125k

WHAT?

I'm running an Ultra Marathon split over 3 days from the North Coast of Bali down to the very South Coast; Nyang Nyang Beach. I am planning on doing a marathon a day to get me across the Island. I will be carrying all my essential items and staying in homestays along the way.

WHERE?

I'm going to start in Tedjakula and finish in Nyang Nyang beach, I will be taking it really slowly, stopping to eat and sleep (of course!)

Day 1 - Tedjakula -Ubud

Day 2 - Ubud - Seminyak (Double six beach)

Day 3 - Seminyak - Nyang Nyang Beach

WHEN?

The big day.... I will begin on Friday the 1st of June at sunrise (06.30am) and I'm aiming to finish at sunset (6.30pm) on Sunday the of 3rd June at Nyang Nyang beach, the very bottom of Bali.

WHY?

Most importantly the big reason I am doing this is to raise awareness and support Bali's mental health crisis.

It has been estimated that 26,000 people in Indonesia, 600 which are in Bali, have a mental disability and because of this are kept in 'pasung'. 'Pasung' is when people are locked in cages or in chains because their families don't understand their illness and can't afford treatment. Many people believe in Bali that a mental disability is caused by black magic or evil spirits. Due to the inadequacy of the mental health system in Bali and the government in denial combined with the poor economic situation, this has meant that a lot of individuals here with serious mental health problems are left untreated.

I have seen and heard of cases where people who have a mental disability are locked away living in their own filth and chained up by their families. I used to watch a man get walked around the 'kampong' (a small village) I used to live in, on a chain, being walked like a dog by his family member. In my opinion I think the man had down syndrone from what I saw, but I don't have any professional knowledge to clarify that. I used to work with children with similar abilities and have friends with children with mental difficulties, who are completely supported and I can't imagine them being treated like that.

The affected families don't understand or accept mental health, due to it not being spoken about or educated. Can you really blame the behaviour, if there has been no education on it? I want to strongly state that in no way am I suggesting that all Balinese are like this, absolutely not and I also want to clarify I am not speaking negatively of their culture, their culture is beautiful. But due to certain elements there is a mental health crisis.

The solution is, I believe, in education and support. Suryani's Institute of Mental Health has a mission to free every person from the pasung in Bali. It is important to not impose strong Western values on the Balinese, rather Suryani's projects aim to make a positive change by raising awareness among teachers and communities and letting them apply the information to their culture and lifestyle. “Our mission is to provide a greater understanding of children with a cognitive disability, and to integrate Balinese beliefs, culture and practices with creative approaches to special education." They are establishing local community -based workshops and lectures on mental health, mutual family support groups and monthly public dialogues with community and religious leaders (to try and encourage the locals). With your donations they can continue to widen their promotion of the acceptance of mental illness care services, raising the community's awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Education really is the vital tool, firstly it will teach the locals that it is a normal condition and it's ok, we can also give them the support on what to do and how. Secondly trying to implement a system from a young age teaching them about mental health.

In support, two crisis centres were built and so far they have successfully helped hundreds of people (free of charge).

My second charity and Suryani's sister non profit - (CASA) Committee Against Sexual Abuse, which works to protect children across Bali from violence, exploitation and abuse. Unfortunately, currently sexual abuse and trafficking among children is becoming a big problem in Bali.

This is in support of not only Suryani's missions but for everyone that has been affected by these issues, no one should be abused or have to suffer. I want to raise awareness for these non profits and get rid of the mental health stigma. It really is ok to not be ok. These two projects are very close to my heart, having close experience with mental health issues and sexual abuse, I can't imagine the affected people I know going through these things without any support, treatment, understanding and having to be locked up like a lot of cases in Bali.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

DONATIONS

No one of the institute’s directors and members receives any financial payment or support for their activities and duties. Furthermore, all the institute’s programs and activities are provided totally free of charge to the public. However, they still need money to buy medicine, run workshops and community-based interventions, maintain and support our Crisis Centers, and acquire additional treatment or research material as needed.

OR

JOIN ME

You can support me by coming and joining me! I don't care whether you skip, hop, walk, cycle, follow by a motorbike or do 10K or 2K... I really really don't care! The support and company is all that matters! Come and join me for any part of it! I would love to get as many people coming out and doing some legs of the route with me!

If you want any further information about the race etc. contact me at henny.gorton@hotmail.co.uk

WA:+6281232190221

Thank you xox