Thank you for taking the time to view my Just Giving page. If you decide to support my challenge, Thank you, I am grateful for your support.

Why Mind?

I had my own experience, following the birth of my beautiful baby girl, with post-natal depression.

At a time when I should have felt complete happiness and gratitude, as it took us a long time to conceive and even though I love our little girl with all my heart, I couldn't get past my continual anxieties and an overwhelming feeling that I was failing her as a mother.

I was fortunate to have the loving support from my partner Neil, family and friends, but even with their support, I found during the whole period that I felt so completely alone. I had not suffered any poor mental health before, so my own perceptions of how I 'should be feeling' and my fear of being judged only compounded my feelings of guilt and failure.

Upon reaching my lowest point and realising I needed to seek help, following some very sound advice from my lovely friend, Lizzie Thorne, I contacted my Health Visitor and GP and was referred for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

CBT has been invaluable for me and my group consisted of individuals with various mental health situations, but it was all that was available for postnatal depression at the time and if I wished to wait for a PND group or one to one counselling, then I would have had to wait at least 6 months.

I have chosen to take on this challenge to give something back, without CBT I would not be in a happy place and able to be the mum I want to be, to our amazing little Isla.

Please support me to raise money for Wycombe Mind, so that others can access a range of local mental health support when needed.

Just for the record... Whilst the distance of the walk will not come easy for me, the writing of this has proved to be a tough and emotional challenge in itself.

I would like to acknowledge my dear loyal supporter and friend, Phil Mantle, who is taking on the challenge with me. Thank you for making the training more bearable and fun and for just being there.

Thank you for reading my story.

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