Personal challenges

Headshave raises $1000 for mental health - it's a win win win!

During this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Rebecca Win shaved her head to raise awareness of mental illness and funds for the Foundation.

Rebecca raised $1000 for the Foundation – an awesome achievement – and we would like to say a big thank you to her for organising this challenge. 

Before setting out on her fundraiser Rebecca had this to say:

“Since my father told me as a five-year-old that I would look great with a shaved head and that he would give me $20 if I would let him shave it, I’ve been a little bit curious as to if he was right. Well it’s time to put it to the test. And I’m hoping you will help me make it worthwhile for a great cause.” 

How many women do you know without cancer who have a shaved head? It is not the “norm” and there is stigma attached to a healthy female with a bald head but, as Rebecca says, it’s nothing compared to the stigma of a mental illness. 

As someone who experienced depression in her younger years, Rebecca knows how easy it is to create your own stigma and, as a registered nurse who has worked in mental health, she has seen how stigma affects others’ lives too - the difficulty in finding employment, the lack of understanding from others and the loss of confidence and self esteem - that’s why she finally decided to take up her dad’s challenge. 

You can still donate to Rebecca on her fundraising page