Not much separated the scene of Alex Glover’s return at the Kiama Lighthouse on Thursday from his departure way back in January, 2024.

On both occasions Alex was joined by family, friends, supporters and the tunes of the Kiama Pipe Band.

What separated those two moments was 480 days, over 16,000 kilometres of walking around Australia, $15,000 raised for suicide prevention through Strides for Suicide, and a transformed outlook on life centred on mindfulness and presence.

“I don’t actually know how to feel,” Alex admitted when asked what it was like to finish.

Moments after Alex's last step.

“I woke up the next day thinking, where am I going to walk to? But there’s nowhere to go now. Still, coming back through Gerringong into Kiama with that support felt really special.”

Alex’s walk was a mission with a message: “Wait one more minute, take one more step.” It was about suicide prevention, but also about practicing what he preached.

“Pilgrimages have existed for millennia around Europe, around Japan, around Russia, China. And I think the beauty of a long walk is, you leave with the necessities and you go to try to walk with a higher purpose,” he says.

“We live in a world that's far too rushed and far too chaotic, that we can never really be exactly where we are. And it's quite ironic, because that's the only place that we are.

"I think a really important thing for people suffering with mental health issues is just being where you are and focusing on getting over the hurdle that's in front of you right now, not the one that's 10 hurdles down the track.”

Alex was unsupported for his walk, which meant it fell on him to ensure he had the essentials each day - food, water, shelter, safety - which left him little time to think about anything else.

“The last thing I thought about most days was actually the kilometres I had to cover, and it meant I never really wanted to be anywhere besides where I was. Whether I was having a good time or a bad time,” says Alex.

Alex's trusty trailer who joined him on his more than 16,000km walk.

One major tool that helped him focus on the present was disconnecting from technology.

“I kept a phone for emergencies and the occasional update, but I barely touched social media. It was liberating. I think a lot of people live their lives through the internet - and it doesn't serve us. Switching off helped me actually live,” he says.

Even after 480 days, Alex’s message remains the same - and that, he believes, is a testament to its power.

“I left with the very simple purpose of encouraging men to wait one more minute, take one more step, and also be open to communicate if they're struggling or have struggles.

"And I think the nicest thing about my walk, which I'm really proud of, is it didn't stop at all, not once until I hung up my hat last night and put my trolley down for the last time.

“And I relied on my own message at times where I was walking for 30 days between towns to get the next food drop.

"It was kind of like, I've just got to listen to my own messages and just wait one more minute, take one more step because you really don't walk a thousand Ks in a day. You can only walk a step at a time”

Alex raised more than 15,000 for Strides for Suicide.

As he finished his journey, Alex shared one last message for those who are struggling or following his story:

“You can't just snap your fingers and be okay. But you can build tools to manage what you’re going through - and that takes time and practice. Please know that it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to talk about it.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available.

Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au for free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.