Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I hope everyone who knows me will understand why this is a cause close to my heart. 

My own experience and sadly that of too many people close to us is that mental health resources are woefully lacking.  Anxiety and depression are isolating illnesses that prevent sufferers from being able to fight to get the help that they desperately need.

Currently, the treatment for mental illness requires the strength and perseverance to wait. 6-8 weeks for medication to take affect (and several trials of medication may be required to find one that works). 3months - 3 years on waiting lists for professional services like counselling and CBT (depending on your area and access point). All this 'waiting to get better' happens at a time when people are at their lowest ebb, when it is a struggle to put one foot in front of the other and get through each day. All too often we hear of the tragic outcomes that occur when people are just too poorly and vulnerable to wait any longer.

Organisations like Mind do an amazing job of filling the enormous void between the medical treatment of mental health conditions and patients actual needs and are a source of invaluable support and reassurance. Campaigns like R.E.D also help get people talking about mental health, something that I strongly believe is the key to overcoming the stigma attached to mental health conditions.

I started running 18 months ago and can personally vouch for the inextricable link between mental and physical health. I am therefore delighted to take on this challenge to raise awareness for everyone who is 'waiting' to get better just now or in the future because there is hope and you will get there.

If people would be kind enough to donate the cost of their morning coffee, I will be heading out in rain or shine for the rest of the month and posting my progress to the R.E.D Facebook group where there are some amazing and also very sad stories that make it all worthwhile.

Thank you for your support xx

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