Canberra-based racer Cameron Hill will use the penultimate round of the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia season at Mount Panorama to promote Lifeline Canberra’s Mental Health Month October campaign.

Hill, a Lifeline Canberra ambassador since 2016, will feature Mental Health Month branding on the side of his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car at what is one of the most popular Carrera Cup rounds to raise awareness for mental illness, something that affects one in five Australians.

Hill says the marquee event is the ideal environment for encouraging people to talk about mental health.

“The Bathurst 1000 is the most famous motorsport event in the country – it’s watched by millions of Aussies each year,” Hill said.

“A percentage of those people will be battling some sort of mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression, and many of their family members or friends don’t find out until it’s too late.”

Hill is an advocate for the services provided by Lifeline Canberra, which include phone crisis support, as well as awareness and education programs aimed at individuals and communities.

“Organisations like Lifeline Canberra provide life-saving support for people who are struggling, but the sad thing is almost 70 per cent of people with a mental illness don’t seek help,” Hill said.

“Young men like myself are statistically the least likely to speak openly about their problems, because they think it’s perceived as weak.

“In actual fact, it takes a lot of strength to seek support, and my hope is that by promoting Mental Health Month at Bathurst, people will be inspired to care for their mates and themselves by speaking out.”

Hill and his Porsche will be on track for Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia at the Bathurst 1000, 4-7 October.