We're running for Sam, John & Alfie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfMYDf2Fsi0

1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

In Britain, perhaps more so than any other nation, there is an enormous stigma around mental health. There’s a lack of understanding and as a result it becomes an embarrassing and difficult thing to not only admit to but to also talk about.

Sadly, these self-perpetuating circumstances are even more extreme in men with a horrifying result; suicide is the number 1 killer of men under 45 in the UK.

There’s been some brilliant campaigns recently raising awareness of the fragility and sensitivity of mental health and you’ve hopefully already seen these stats on your newsfeed… but it probably hasn’t hit you how real these issues are.

From 2014 to 2016, 3 of our good friends from school have tragically lost their battles with mental health. First Sam in 2014, then John in 2015 and then Alfie earlier this year. We never thought that this would be something that would affect our group of friends, but it has. Not once. Not twice. But on three occasions. 

Mental health is an incredibly complex issue, each case is unique and there’s no generic step-by-step guide to help. 

If you think someone you know is struggling, seems a bit down or just hasn’t been themselves, talk to them. This could make the world of difference.