As many of you know, I suffer from a mental health illness. I am brutally honest about what I go through as I’ve learned how important it is to talk about it and I want to help break the stigma about mental health illnesses. My depression is something that has left me extremely ill in the past and has affected everything I do in life which is soul-destroying. But I’m stronger than I think as it hasn’t beaten me, and I have some extremely exciting things to look forward to this year which is leaving me feeling positive for the future.

I have decided to take on Brighton Run2Music to raise money for Chalkhill Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, the ONLY in-patient mental health service for young people in Sussex. This project is extremely close to my heart and I am so lucky to be able to help this amazing place through my work at Rockinghorse. I would never wish a mental health illness on anyone but least of all children and teenagers! The kids at Chalkhill are incredible and inspire me every single day. They deserve absolutely everything to help make their recovery the best it can be.

Suicide rates are increasing all the time, even more so with school children and teenagers. The pressure they have these days is something we never had when I was at school. The Instagram culture and social media in general is damaging for them and puts unnecessary pressure on, leading to many mental health problems. At such an important time in their lives where they should be having their innocence and fun, they are struggling and suffering. It isn’t fair.

You might think running 10km isn’t too much of a challenge. It probably isn’t to those who are fit and healthy! But for me, it is a challenge to get out of bed in the morning, let alone drag myself to go for a run. Depression is more than a “down day”, it takes over your body physically as well.

I’ve always been notoriously against running (ironic as I’m a challenge event fundraiser!) so when I told people that I had started running, it was a shock to many! But knowing I’ll be helping the children at Chalkhill and supporting the amazing staff with their work, that is enough to get me up and doing this.

Please donate whatever you can to encourage me and support this amazing project.

And if you’re reading this and suffering too, please talk. To anyone. Just talk. Break the stigma. You’re not alone!

Hannah x