Football star takes mental health journey

Having travelled the world playing football, Cory Vickers understands the mental stresses that come with being a professional sportsman.

Cory also understands that support is often not available or encouraged in the cut-throat world of professional sport.

So, he and partner Brittany Adams are embarking on a journey to try and change that.

The pair will walk the length of the country later this year on the 3000km Te Araroa stretching from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

“Mental health has always been a bit close to home for me and seeing first-hand what the sporting culture can be like and the struggles that come with that, being away from home, family friends, stepping into new communities can always be tough.”

The 28-year-old former Tasman United player says boys struggle to let their emotions out at the best of times and often don’t open up about what’s going on, something that is exacerbated in the sporting world.

“Even if you can see it, how do you get it out of them.”

Cory says he was sick of sitting on the sideline and set about raising money to help give people the tools to cope with mental struggles.

Brittney’s passion for mental health awareness comes from her work where she has seen families break down due to a lack of help.

“There is a lot of need but just not enough funds out there.”

She says many don’t know how to open up in the right way, where to go or what to do if someone asks for help.

A fundraising page, ‘Two is One & One is None (A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved),’ has been created to spread awareness of their campaign.

They will seek refuge in and try to connect with the communities they pass through.

“It’s exciting, it’s a challenge, but we want people to understand what’s required to walk 3000km.”

Their goal is to fundraise a minimum of $8000 to support mental health in sport.

They are calling on the public to help with gear and food for their trip as well as funds.

You can contact the couple to offer support at 02040227152 email [email protected] or donate here.