Aucklander Stefan Ozich, 29, is on his way to the resort during the south-bound leg of his double-run of the country along the Te Araroa trail, which he aims to complete in 100 days.
He decided to take on the 6000km run after experiencing first-hand the lack of resources available for men when his brother, Jerome, 30, took his own life last year, which was "the final straw".
Ozich, who’s about halfway through his mission, says he’s grateful his body’s held up so far, having run about 60km every day for more than 50 days — to date he’s raised just over $100,000.
But he says his mental health "wavers, for sure".
"I feel overwhelmed at times, but I also feel a bit detached in a way, and I don’t really have time to go there."
Ozich says he’s excited to return to Queenstown — he first visited last December to take part in the inaugural multi-day mountain race The Wild — and hopes locals will join him once he reaches the resort.
"This whole thing isn’t a one-man mission, it's a team mission but, ideally, it’s a national mission because shit needs to change in the mental health sector for men drastically."
He says people need to "put their money where their mouth is" and donate to the cause if they’re sick of seeing the men in their lives struggle and go without help.
He also believes there’s not enough awareness about what a ‘healthy’ man looks like, physically, mentally and spiritually, and doesn’t think there are enough respite centres or access to different forms of therapy in New Zealand.
The money raised from Ozich’s run will go towards men's mental health charity The Last Chance Project.
To donate, or track Ozich, visit stefanozich.com — he expects to reach Queenstown on Saturday or Sunday.
