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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS & VIDEO - Henry Cock is on the run.
Not because he is running away from something or someone; it is quite the contrary. He is pushing his body to the limit and testing his mind to capacity at the same time, to promote mental health.
Cock (36), who works in the restaurant industry, apart from raising money for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), has broken the Guinness World Record by running 76 half marathons in 76 days to date.
His ultimate goal is to run 133 consecutive half marathons (21.1km) from Kosi Bay, around the coastline, to Alexander Bay on the Namibian border in 133 days.
In 2020, Cock came face to face with one of his biggest trials, when circumstance affected his mental health.
"One day my father, while preparing a meal, simply asked me, 'How are you?' This caused me to have a breakdown."
Cock, although resistant, started psychotherapy and even after that, agreed to take much-needed medication.
"The problem is, when it comes to mental health, we are immediately negative at the mention of medication. It is like hearing the word, 'introvert'. We immediately have the association that it is something bad. We don't react the same about the word 'extrovert'. And this describes our reaction towards medication too, when used for mental health, as opposed to physical health."
Watch a video below:
Cock says his journey has had many highlights.
Of course there is nature and the wonderful variety of South African landscapes that took his breath away.
But, what truly left him inspired, was the hospitality and warmth he encountered.
"I truly had lost my faith in mankind, but this journey restored it. I am amazed at the people of this country."
Cock says his dream, apart from raising the R4 million he has promised SADAG, is that the awareness of the importance of mental health will linger along his route and in the towns he has visited.
"People join in and run with us as we go. It is amazing how some, only at the end of a run, will divulge that they too have had a mental struggle. There is still too much stigma attached to speaking out about mental health issues."
Cock says he takes heart in the youth's openness in talking about mental health, but in general, men still find it tough to talk.
The Mossel Bay Junior Town Council has decided to contribute the monies raised during its Anti-Suicide Campaign, selling yellow ribbons at schools and to the public in September, to Cock.
To date, he has raised about R750 000. – https://www.runhenryrun.co.za/
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