On Friday the 11th of May 2018, my family was hit with massive devastation. Our Uncle Phil, son, brother, husband and father, sadly took his own life. As a family we are now left wondering why? There seemed to be no indication that this would ever happen, we wish he had spoken to someone or that we had seen some kind of sign. This has left a massive hole in our hearts and we have lost another amazing man from our family.

I plan on climbing Snowdon on the 4th August of to raise funds to buy a memorial bench with a plaque dedicated to my uncle Phil. I want this to be a place for all of us who knew and loved him. To go, to chat to him and think about him, to ensure we look after our own mental health, we open up and talk.

Any funds left over, will be donated to mental health awareness charity MIND and male suicide awareness charity CALM; as, unfortunately, this sad event has opened my eyes to how important looking after our mental health is and the massive consequences of suffering with mental health related issues. The trauma, shock and sheer distress suicide causes, for those lost and for those who have lost somebody.

MIND believes no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone, they are advocates for better mental health. They are there to listen, to support, to advise and hopefully help people change their lives. They need funding.

CALM, the campaign against living miserably is about, for and on behalf of men. They are dedicated to preventing male suicide. Shockingly 75% of all suicides are men. They offer support, are working to change the culture of men having to be ok, and seen as strong and trying to get people to open up whilst also working to support those bereaved by suicide. To me this is so important. I can see firsthand, that the people left behind need support and need help to grieve and to get through the devastation.

People need to look after their mental health. When we are struggling we need the help, support and advice to learn to open up and change our lives. Charities need to be funded. They need people to raise money, to support them so they can support others. More needs to be done to help people with mental health related issues. Hopefully this is a start, and I will make a difference!