Story
I don't mind admitting that originally my main reason for wanting to do
the Great North Run was to prove that I could do it (well that, and I
bet my sister than I could do it faster than her).
But then I always have delighted in proving people wrong. Particularly when told that I can't do something.
I've also decided that I don't mind pointing out that according to my medical records I shouldn't be able to run, full stop, let alone run 13.1 miles. Suffice to say I probably find running far more difficult than you do.
So now that shameless guilt trip #1 is out of the way, I'd like to make the following points:
1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, and one in six experiences this at any given time.
Between 8-12% of the population experience depression in any year
Research suggests that 20% of children have a mental health problem in any given year, and about 10% at any one time.
Those stats are pretty grim, but more annoyingly, mental health is repeatedly hidden from view, swept under the carpet, and belittled by sections of the media.
As such I'm trying to raise money for Mind, which is a mental health charity which aims to "create a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all - a society where people with experience of mental distress are treated fairly, positively and with respect."
If you're reading this, don't tell me that it doesn't affect you. Statistically 1 in 4 of you reading this will suffer a mental health problem this year (I'll leave you to argue which of you it is). And don't tell me you don't know anybody with mental health problems. Assuming you know 6 other poeple, then you already know somebody who at this point in time is suffering a mental health problem.
And that's quite a sobering thought, I think you'll agree.
If you want to make a difference, please donate. I'm not asking people to give large amounts I don't care if you just give 50 pence. If everybody who reads this gives £1 then that could turn into quite a bit of money.
Oh and for the record I've already run 88 miles since May (today is 8 August), training for the GNR. I'd hate to think I've done that for nothing.
Cheers
Matt
(oh and if you choose not to donate, I may be forced to regale you with details of the physiology of shin splints. You will then undoubtedly wish you'd just given 50 pence to a good cause)
But then I always have delighted in proving people wrong. Particularly when told that I can't do something.
I've also decided that I don't mind pointing out that according to my medical records I shouldn't be able to run, full stop, let alone run 13.1 miles. Suffice to say I probably find running far more difficult than you do.
So now that shameless guilt trip #1 is out of the way, I'd like to make the following points:
1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, and one in six experiences this at any given time.
Between 8-12% of the population experience depression in any year
Research suggests that 20% of children have a mental health problem in any given year, and about 10% at any one time.
Those stats are pretty grim, but more annoyingly, mental health is repeatedly hidden from view, swept under the carpet, and belittled by sections of the media.
As such I'm trying to raise money for Mind, which is a mental health charity which aims to "create a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all - a society where people with experience of mental distress are treated fairly, positively and with respect."
If you're reading this, don't tell me that it doesn't affect you. Statistically 1 in 4 of you reading this will suffer a mental health problem this year (I'll leave you to argue which of you it is). And don't tell me you don't know anybody with mental health problems. Assuming you know 6 other poeple, then you already know somebody who at this point in time is suffering a mental health problem.
And that's quite a sobering thought, I think you'll agree.
If you want to make a difference, please donate. I'm not asking people to give large amounts I don't care if you just give 50 pence. If everybody who reads this gives £1 then that could turn into quite a bit of money.
Oh and for the record I've already run 88 miles since May (today is 8 August), training for the GNR. I'd hate to think I've done that for nothing.
Cheers
Matt
(oh and if you choose not to donate, I may be forced to regale you with details of the physiology of shin splints. You will then undoubtedly wish you'd just given 50 pence to a good cause)