In March I will be trekking 100km over 5 days through the Andes Mountains with 99 other HSBC colleagues from around the world. Collectively, we are aiming to raise $350,000 for mental health charities around the world.

Mental health is so important because it impacts all of us - whether personally and directly, or through our friends and family. Almost half of American adults will experience a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. About half of mental disorders begin by age 14, and another 25% by age 24.

The charity that I have chosen to support is the JED Foundation, which exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults.  Through their programs, this organization:

• Helps schools evaluate and strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and systems to safeguard individual and community health.
• Develops expert resources and creates powerful partnerships to ensure teens and young adults get access to the resources and support they need to navigate life's challenges
• Educates and equips students, families and communities to know when and how to support others who are in distress or struggling with a mental health issues.