TELL has organised walks on set dates in four locations: Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, and Fukuoka. 

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Tokyo: September 10th, start time 18:30, Wesley Centre Building (Walk & Candlelight Virgil)

Okinawa: September 10th, start time 18:30, Araha Beach (Walk & Candlelight Vigil)

Tokyo: September 20th, start time 10:00 at Komazawa Park

Fukuoka: September 20th, start time 11:00, Oohori Park

Osaka: October 5th, start time 15:00, Tenshiba Park at the Osaka Monument

Tokyo: October 19th, start time 10:00 at Komazawa Park

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While you can pick any day, date, or time between September 10th - October 10th and organize your own walk along your own route, or throw an event in your own style. Joining one of TELL’s walks is an easy way to participate in the Step Up Challenge.

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Whether you choose to join solo, with friends, family, or coworkers, with your whole school, office, or club, TELL welcomes you to #StartTheConversation with us about mental health and suicide prevention while also getting some gentle exercise!

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What is involved?

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Register on this website. If you have any questions, please reach out to the local TELL outreach staff for your specific walk:

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Tokyo: outreach.assist@telljp.com

Osaka: kansai@telljp.com

Okinawa: outreach.okinawa@telljp.com

Fukuoka: lpegler@telljp.com

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What to expect on the day?

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• What should I wear?

Wear whatever is going to be comfortable for you to walk in. If you want to raise awareness by wearing something special, or your whole team has decided on a themed outfit, this is also totally welcome!

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• What should I bring?

You don’t have to bring anything special, just yourself. As the walks are taking place outside, you might want to prepare for the conditions, bringing whatever you might need to make yourself most comfortable as you participate (flashlight, cameras, drinks, snacks, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, coats, umbrella, photo of your loved one, etc.)

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• Pace

The goal of these walks is not to race and complete them as quickly as possible, but rather to create a shared space to #StartTheConversation. The walks will proceed at a comfortable walking pace, (as allowed by the route). If the pace on the day is too fast for you and you are having a hard time, let the organiser know.  

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• Route

The organiser of each walk will contact you to let you know the meeting point on the day and also the general route. If they are planning to hike up any mountains or cover any particularly tough terrain, they should let you know in advance so you can make an informed decision about whether the walk is a good fit for you.

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• Is the route accessible?

If you have questions about the planned routes or specific needs to be able to participate, please contact the organiser of each walk.

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• What if the weather is bad on the day?

In general, the scheduled walks will go ahead as planned whatever the weather. If conditions are expected that could make it dangerous to proceed, then the organiser will let you know that the event has been cancelled and when/if there is a new date.

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• Candle Lighting Ceremony

At the end of the Tokyo (9/10) and Okinawa (9/10) evening walks, participants will be invited to join TELL staff in lighting candles to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to suicide. This will be a moment of quiet reflection where you are also invited to share the name(s) of those who are important to you who have died by suicide, though there is no requirement to do so if you do not wish to. 

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• Will I be required to share my story/reasons for joining?

There are many reasons why you might be choosing to join the walk, and there is no requirement that you talk to the other participants or organisers about them. If you want to share your story, the walk leaders are there on the day,  or if you are looking for support for yourself or others in your life, there is a lot of information on the website https://telljp.com/i-am-feeling-suicidal/ or https://telljp.com/worried-about-someone/.
 

• What do I get when I register? 

Registration unlocks a little welcome bundle — something to keep your papers in, something to decorate with, and your official ticket to the fun. If you prefer not to receive stuff, you can indicate that on the registration form.  And … oh yes. Just by registering, you’re in the running for special awards like:

• Most steps in 24 hours

• Top fundraiser

• Most impactful awareness-raiser

 

Bragging rights included.

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• How can I win an award?  

Most steps: It is unlikely that the TELL organised walks alone will cover enough ground for you to garner the most steps in 24-hour award,  but you can combine the hosted walk with your other steps across the day. Raising Impactful Awareness: You may be eligible to win this award. Please find out more details here. 

Fundraising: Anyone who participates in the Step Up Challenge can raise funds to support TELL. Please find more information on setting up a Donorbox account here. The highest fundraiser in each category wins!

 

• What’s this about a possible early arrival bonus? 

If you’re one of the first participants to arrive at one of the TELL arranged walks, you may be allowed to pick an extra special piece of SWAG  — maybe something to carry, something to wear, or something to keep handy. First-come, first-served - while supplies last.

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