I will be running 13.1 miles in March to raise money for training to go out and help patients living with mental health related illnesses in central Indonesia. It is with a programme called SLV Global. They rely on trained volunteers on hand to coach and communicate with patients suffering from depression, anxiety and other mind crippling illnesses. It is a unique opportunity where I will work along side other staff to assist with positive and productive interactions with the hospital patients and also facilitating their recovery and education in the English Language.

Mental health awareness has been advocated by the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry in their recent ‘heads together’ campaign. They acknowledged that mental health is just as important as physical health and promoting a healthier conversation to be had on the subject.

Mental health awareness week 2016 focused on how fundamental healthy relationships are to our well being and ability to flourish as individuals and communities. One of the main aims of SLV Global is to promote good relationships and to tackle the barriers to forming them.

The shared goal is providing these people with better mental health care when they have very little means of helping themselves. We are very fortunate in the UK to have the NSH and other health governing bodies which gives us free round the clock access to health care, whether it be mentally or physically related. Other communities and cultures across the world are certainly not as fortunate. They rely on the help and support of trained undergraduate and graduated psychology students and professionals who are simply willing to make a difference in their lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read my little spiel, this will be my first half marathon! I will keep everyone updated with pics of the run when it happens.

For FAQ's about the Bali mental health volunteer project, please visit https://slv.global/faqs-bali