The Lariam Tab

Today’s miles brought more than just distance.

I was honoured to be joined for a few miles by a retired psychiatrist, who generously gave his time to walk and talk. His insight into the harms of prescribed drugs, and the profession’s ongoing struggles to validate experiences or to ask the right questions, particularly when it comes to military patient, was a powerful reminder of why this journey matters.

Along the way we also met local hikers who shared a poignant memory. They once saw a veteran running in the Borders to raise awareness of a friend lost to #MilitarySuicide, only for the hikers to discover his friend was from their own village. Their story made the issue deeply personal, bringing the weight of this cause even closer to home.

Several people stopped to ask about #TheLariamTab, many shocked by the scale of loss, especially the recent death of former Bombardier Robert Homans, and his family’s ongoing fight for justice. It remains a stark example of why awareness and accountability are so urgently needed.

We continue to meet remarkable people along the trail, some with first-hand experience of Lariam’s harms. One shared how a disastrous trip to Africa left lasting consequences for their parents, a reminder that the impact of this drug reaches far beyond the military community.

Every step of this walk is about carrying the #MilesInMemory of those we have lost, listening to the voices of those still affected, and keeping the conversation alive.

Thank you to everyone who has stopped, shared, and offered encouragement along the way. Your support keeps this journey moving forward.