Man runs 303km in three days in the outback to raise money for mental healthBy Maddie NixonABC North West QldTopic:Mental Health40m ago40 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:40pmLoading...In short:A man has run 303 kilometres through the remote outback to raise funds and awareness for mental health in the bush.There were gruelling outback conditions on the three-day trek from Mount Isa to Gregory. What's next?People in the bush are crying out for more to be done to address mental health and suicide in their communities.abc.net.au/news/running-303km-in-outback-for-mens-mental-health/105253872Link copiedShareShare articleA man has run 303 kilometres over three days across some of Australia's harshest terrain to help men struggling with mental health in the bush.Warning: Readers are advised that this story contains references to suicide.After months of preparation, Travis McElligott, 32, ran from Mount Isa to Gregory over the Labour Day long weekend in Queensland, with a team of passionate locals helping him raise more than $25,000.The gruelling outback conditions — mouthfuls of flies, dust in the lungs, and a few run-ins with nature — were never going to stop Mr McElligott from getting his message out. Travis McElligott at the finish line, ready to rest and celebrate. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)"We've lost some people close to us and I see a lot of people that that have lost friends," said Mr McElligott, who lives in Mount Isa.If you or anyone you know needs help:Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Lifeline on 13 11 14Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOut at au.reachout.comMensLine Australia on 1300 789 978QLife 1800 184 527"I decided to get off my arse and run 300 kilometres to raise awareness and a bit of money for mental health."Mr McElligott was joined by others on and off over the long three days. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)'Something has got to change'It's a sentiment shared by others in outback Queensland including Tony "Tonka" Toholke, the founder of Mount Isa's International Men's Day. He became an advocate in the community after his own battle with mental health.Mr McElligott and Tony Toholke took time for a selfie before the run began. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)And although mental health awareness is improving, he's concerned it is still too hard for people to get help and too many people are dying as a result."I was talking to a guy here the other day, he said, 'I would like to see a psychiatrist or psychologist' — it's a two-month wait and it's a $250 fee … something's got to change."Mr McElligott and his support team the morning before they set off. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)Lifeline Australia statistics show people in rural areas are two times more likely to take their life by suicide, and 75 per cent of the people who do are male."I know about 30 blokes in my circle that struggle," Mr Toholke said."I text them to check in on them, and every second week they come to my house, and we talk sh*t."Until professional services become easier to access, Mr Toholke said remote and regional locations like Mount Isa had to come up with "small, community-based solutions".Several support vehicles flanked Mr McElligott, ready to deliver food and water. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)He said the funds Mr McElligott's efforts had raised would go toward helping men access support services."We'll give them a bit of money to go to programs and get some help, because obviously, help is great to have, but it's also very expensive," Mr Toholke said.Getting the message outMr McElligott back up his three-day run with the legendary Gregory River Canoe Marathon the following day.The gruelling feat took a toll."I didn't think it was going to be that hard, but the end of day two was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life," he said.Mr McElligott and his support crew camped overnight on the side of the road leading to Gregory. (Supplied: Ashley King)Mr McElligott said it was worth it if it saved lives and there was "no chance" he wouldn't finish."My support crew, they were like, 'If you wanna tap out, we'll drag you across the line,'" he said."I couldn't have done it without the team."The beers, cheers and hugs were flowing when Mr McElligott finished his run. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)His outback endeavour was not the first time he had strapped on sneakers for mental health.Last year he ran for 24 hours up and down Telstra Hill on Mount Isa's outskirts.Mr McElligott, his wife Rachael and their newborn Laney Rae, after the race. (ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon)This year he decided to go bigger, hoping to get his message out and save lives."By doing this run, if we can help somebody out, we've done our job," he said."If you're thinking of somebody that might be struggling, pick up the phone, have a chat with them, because you could actually save their life."ABC North West Qld — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each TuesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 40m ago40 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 9:40pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)If you need someone to talk to, call:Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890QLife on 1800 184 527Top StoriesSea of solar gives a clue why Australians chose batteries over nuclear Topic:Energy PolicyPhoto shows Electricians place solar panels on roofAfter millions of dollars and texts, Trumpet of Patriots fails to deliverTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Palmer scratches his head.Greens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a brunette woman, brown haired man with glasses, blonde woman with glasses and dark haired man.Arthur Sinodinos says Coalition's campaign looked 'ad hoc' and 'reactive'LIVEPhoto shows Arthur Sinodinos gestures as he speaks during Question Time.The timeline prosecutors allege in the mushroom murder trialTopic:ExplainerPhoto shows A woman standing in front of her car.Related storiesMeet the bearded, burly miners using yoga to overcome men's mental health stigma in the outbackTopic:Mental HealthPhoto shows a man doing a yoga poseNot enough being done to tackle rural male suicide, charity saysTopic:Mental HealthPhoto shows men standing around talking in the bush'Once is terrible, twice breaks your heart': Natural disasters taking toll on farmers' mental healthTopic:FloodsPhoto shows Shannon Moss standing in a paddock of pumpkins that was flooded. 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