The social stigma surrounding mental illness has made it terrifying for me to publically state that I suffer with severe anxiety and depression.

With physical illnesses, that are largely visible, others offer compassion and support. However, mental illness is largely misunderstood, with a common misconception being that suffering is not ‘real’. As a result, the instinct is to hide behind a mask and therefore suffer in silence. One of the hardest parts about opening up is the fear of not being understood, which is incredibly isolating.

Mental illness costs the UK more than all physical illnesses combined, yet causes are unclear and so much remains untreated. It is estimated that depression will be the leading cause of illness globally by the year 2030. We need to stand together and take action against mental health stigma, so that everyone struggling feels able to seek support and treatment.

I want to be proactive and focus on regaining mental wellness and happiness. After months of deteriorating mental health, the best way forward is to take some time away from school to receive more structured therapy and consistent support at the Cardinal Clinic.

Although not the world’s most obvious runner, running has become an important part of my routine that helps me feel more grounded, when everything else around me feels so uncertain. I am running a marathon on December 10th to raise money for SANE, a nationwide charity which helps people suffering with mental illness. SANE’s vision is to raise public awareness, develop research, whilst providing compassionate and effective treatment to those affected.

I am passionate about supporting mental health, and would like to raise money to help those not receiving the support they need. Working to help others has been a big motivation for me in my marathon training. In sharing my story, I hope to encourage other people to feel more comfortable in discussing and improving their own mental health. Please help to support me on my road to recovery, and support the millions of others in their battle against mental illness.