Mel, after years of suffering in silence, has just started talking publicly about her mental health battles.

She wants to encourage others to get help, talk and will also be taking part in the upcoming Black Dog Institute's Exercise You Mood Walk on Saturday, October 12.

Mel will be joined on 21 kilometre walk around Sydney's Homebush precinct by a group of friends.

The well-known athletics coach suffered depression when was 21-year-of-age, which she kept to herself.

She recently decided if it would help others that she would talk about her mental health issues.

Her first open conversation was in front of 150 people at a presentation event held for her running group in June.

Related content: Mel Mustapic honoured with Athletics NSW award

As children were listening, she explained her mental health issue in a way they could understand.

"I wanted them to know what had happened and how I felt like I was operating with an empty cup," she said.

"I said I was doing things to fill the cup up again and improve my health."

She had another mental health episode in 2005.

Open as she is, Mel still does not talk about the 2005 episode because of stigma.

For the past two-years, she has struggled with extreme anxiety.

"That was a culmination of stress and grief," she said.

The grief came from losing several key figures in her life.

"We had a lot of things going on in our family and it was just really tough and got on top of me," she said.

Read more: Local resident prepares for important trip

Read more: Proposal for new school in the Berry area

Her advice to others is to talk about your situation.

"It's really important you tell someone what you are going through," she said.

"For these young people in particular, it's important to remember you are not weak if you speak.

"I feel people think if they are struggling, they are weak and they don't want to talk about it.

"I am trying to get my head around all these young people who are struggling and I think not wanting to talk is part of the struggle."

Team MaD, a made up of a group of like-minded individuals including Darlene Musgrove who registered the team - the M stands for Mel and D stands for Darlene.

"We have a good mix of people and I am happy to have them on-board. It's nice to see the community get behind it," Mel said.

"Darlene knew had some issues last year and thought it [the walk] would be a good thing to do as friends.

"I guess we have become really aware of how many people around us and in the Shoalhaven are struggling with anxiety and depression."

Go to https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraiser/teammad to sponsor the team.

"All the money helps the Black Dog Institute do the amazing work they do globally but also locally," Mel said.

She knows many people in the Shoalhaven are battling their own mental health issues.

"I just think if we talk openly then people will know they are supported," she said

"The high rate of suicide completely breaks my heart."

The athletic coach said many members of her "running family" have been touched by mental health.

She added suicide caused massive grief in the Shoalhaven and allround Australia.

"We just want to do our bit to help and the big thing for Darlene and myself is to diminish the stigma around mental health as much as possible," she said.

It can take years for someone to climb out of their "black hole".

However, Mel said people can climb out of these depths and have hope about the future.

"Feeling the sunshine and having hope are just amazing feelings when things have been so dark," she said.

She says never be afraid to get help.

At one stage, when Mel was climbing out of the black hole, she was seeing her doctor every two days to get medication and support.

Just recently she had to go and make another appointment and said getting the right medical care was also vital.

"I would say if you are not feeling comfortable with your doctor and they are not quite getting what you are feeling then I suggest you find a doctor you can relate too," she said.

"Remember also tell someone - don't try to face this alone and 100 per cent go see your GP because they have the skills and know what to do."

Finally she wants people to remember true friends will always stand by you.

"I have to say I have never lost a friend over them knowing I have a mental illness," she said.