Hailing from Stawell, Ms Dempsey is a health promotion officer at Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership, but is taking time off to climb Mount Kosciuszko on the weekend of March 9.

Ms Dempsey is raising money through the climb for mental health foundation R U OK? and has already exceeded her fundraising target of $700.

The climb itself will take five or six hours and Ms Dempsey will climb with a group of people organised through R U OK? and another organisation called Huma Charity Challenge, which arranges adventure trips which fundraise for a charity of the traveler's choice.

The climb will be Ms Dempsey's second - in 2015 she trekked the Himalayas over six days, also for charity. 

"Since then everyone's like 'when is your next big thing?'" she said. 

Ms Dempsey began training a few months ago, using a combination of gym work and hiking to The Pinnacle in the Grampians.

"Why not use the natural resources in your backyard," she said.

Ms Demspey own experiences with depression and anxiety have motivated her to try and create the kind of support she had when she was struggling. 

"It's raising awareness, which is something I strive to do constantly," she said.

"I noticed in my own experience just speaking about it really helped, so I wanted to do what I wanted people to do for me - (it's) just giving back really. 

"I think the R U OK? message sums up everything I'm about really - just continuing to have an open conversation with people and ask if they are alright, and being kind in the world and looking after one another."

Ms Dempsey's ultimate aim is to reduce the stigma and create an environment where those conversations can be had in the open.

"The suicide rates are still high, especially in this area, but the stigma around it is decreasing," she said. 

"People are talking about it more, things are happening, we've got The Resilience Project coming to the area and doing a lot of work, and more people are recognising how important it is.

"You hear people on the radio and other media sources talking about it more so it's a matter of continuing to advocate and push for that so we can keep it on the front of people's minds."

The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that for the year 2017, males made up 75.1 per cent of all deaths by intentional self-harm, and females made up the remaining 24.9 per cent.

Intentional self-harm was the 10th leading cause of death for males in Australia in 2017.

The ABS also states that 'intentional self-harm was ranked the 13th leading cause of death in 2017, moving up from 15th position in 2016' for all genders.

Ms Dempsey said changing those statistics required more than encouraging people to speak out when struggling.

"It can be really tricky for people to seek help and for them to open up and say I'm not okay, then what does someone do with that," she said.

"To the support network around them, understand what to do with that, have that mental health first aid too, so you can understand the early intervention side, understand what services are available locally, and not to say to someone you'll be right, get over it, because that can cut someone off completely. 

"R U OK? and their website has resources on how to have those conversations."

Ms Dempsey said a good starting point for anyone wanting help is to see a general practitioner and ask for a mental health plan.

"They can provide you with one where you can go see a psychologist or a counsellor or someone at a reduced cost," she said.

Ms Dempsey also said it was important to make sure a mental health professional was the right fit. 

"You're allowed to shop around," she said.

"You might not have that connection, they might not be the right person. Do what works."

To donate to Ms Dempsey's climb, click here. 

While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all the news from Ararat and districts, sign up here.