And from his Moama home he has risen to the challenge – turning to exercise as the primary treatment for getting his life back on track.
Which includes multiple 2km-plus swims along the Murray several times a week and now mini-marathon walking.
On Thursday morning, flanked by mates Luke Barlow and Dave Ferris he set out to cover 18km for his own benefit and to help raise awareness funding for World Suicide Prevention Day.
James said his walk was going to take in tracks along the Murray, over and back on the new bridge and with plenty of twists and turns to get the kilometre count up.
The happy trio are better known around town as the Murray Mudflaps – they all get in at least three long-distance swims in the river every week regardless of the air or water temperatures.
“I haven’t been able to swim for a couple of weeks with a bad ear infection so walking has been the big part of preparation recently,” Jame said.
“Since I focused on doing this event I have shed another 13kg and am feeling even better because of that,” he said.
“The national driving force behind today’s walk is for as many people as possible to do 9km to represent the average nine Australians a day who take their own lives.
“So I thought why not double that and see if it helps even more.”
You can support James and all the other walkers at www.outoftheshadowswalk.org.au/sponsor
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