Walking Singh, from Punjab's Bhatinda, completes 710-km challenge for suicide prevention, and men's mental health awareness in UK

Indian-born educator Gurmeet Singh Sidhu has completed a 710-km walking challenge to raise awareness about men’s mental health and suicide prevention. (Pic credit: walkingsingh/ instagram)

Indian-born educator Gurmeet Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Walking Singh, has completed a 710-km walking challenge to raise awareness about men’s mental health and suicide prevention, far exceeding his original goal, Tribune India reported.

Sidhu, who hails from Bir Behman village in Bathinda, Punjab, recently received the Movember UK and Europe Award 2025 in the “Going the Distance” category after completing a 508-km walk. An alumnus of The Punjab Public School, Nabha, he currently teaches at Gravesend Grammar School in the UK.

Sharing his journey on Instagram, Sidhu wrote that the Movember 600-km walking challenge, symbolising the 60 men who die by suicide every hour worldwide, has given him a renewed sense of purpose. “Keep walking, you will arrive at your destination healthy,” he wrote, adding that he would continue working to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention.

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A post shared by Gurmeet Singh Sidhu (@walkingsingh)

Speaking to Tribune India, Sidhu said his initial target for the latest challenge was 600 km, but he eventually pushed himself to 710 km, raising nearly £3,000 for the Movember charity.

Sidhu noted that men often face mental health challenges due to social conditioning that discourages emotional expression. Drawing from his Punjabi roots, he emphasised that resilience should not be equated with silence. “Too many Punjabi men, like those in other communities, suffer quietly, believing they must carry every burden alone. This walk was a reminder that mental health is not a weakness, and seeking help is an act of strength,” he told Tribune India.

He added that open conversations and breaking long-standing stigma around mental health are essential to preventing loss of life and ensuring people do not struggle in isolation.

According to the report, the latest challenge held deep personal significance for Sidhu. Last year, after recovering from a spinal injury, he completed a 500-km walk for the Movember charity, earning recognition across the UK and Europe. This year’s effort was shaped by personal loss — Sidhu had witnessed close family friends lose their daughter, who was the same age as his eldest son. Through his teaching career, he has also seen the devastating impact of mental health struggles on young lives.

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Over 30 days, Sidhu walked 30 long routes, averaging 24 km a day, while continuing to teach full-time. Many walks began as early as 3 am and stretched late into the night. Despite physical exhaustion, injuries, and harsh weather conditions, he persisted in highlighting the silent suffering experienced by many, particularly young men.

As per UK media reports cited by Tribune India, Louie French, Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, has invited Sidhu to the Houses of Parliament to discuss suicide prevention and the urgent need to prioritise men’s health.