From Cape Town to Cairo trek to raise awareness for mental health

Growing up, Australian Xavier Hall struggled with severe depression and other mental health problems.

Now 29, he has flown from Melbourne to Cape Town to begin what he calls the biggest challenge of his life — a walk from Cape Town to Cairo, entirely on foot, to raise money and awareness for mental health.

Hall said he has believed for years that mental health is a universal issue. "It's all about mental health. It's something that I believe really, really strongly in," he told the Cape Argus on Thursday.

"In my opinion, it is actually the most important issue that we face." He said his own struggles began in his late high-school years." Around my later high-school years, what we call Year 11 and 12, I really struggled with my mood," he said. "It sort of developed from social isolation. I felt very lonely." Even though he had friends, he felt disconnected.

"I did have school friends and football friends," he said. "But I realised the only time I would see people was when I was physically near them. My social life was based on proximity. That really got me down. I felt very lonely and isolated, and it left me with depression for a few years."

Hall, who grew up in eastern Victoria, later moved to Melbourne for university.

After working as a personal trainer, he moved between different jobs before committing to this challenge. He said the walk has taken a full year of planning.

"This year, my life has been this. I started in January and all the way until now I've been planning the route, avoiding certain areas, figuring out food, saving money."

He expects to sleep outdoors most nights. "I don't have enough money to stay in accommodation every day," he said.

He plans to start with a trial run by hiking from Cape Agulhas back to Cape Town — a 250km test. After resting, he will begin the official journey from the southern tip of the city and make his way north to Cairo. His family has been supportive despite their concerns.

"They've definitely had worries. It is a dangerous endeavour. But they know that I minimise risk and that, at the end of the day, I'm living life." He said the whole experience feels surreal. "I've spent all year working towards this. It feels surreal. Now I'm here and I'm actually doing this."

He hopes the journey will eventually turn into a career. "I'm hoping this gains enough traction that my social media becomes my career. If I can do this as a job, I can spend my life travelling, doing hardcore crazy things where I'm pushing my limits, enjoying myself and helping others enjoy life too."

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Cape Argus