From 8am on Sunday the 5th June, I will be undertaking my 'Silent Mission' lasting 150 hours (6.25 days). This will take me until 2pm on Saturday the 11th June, just in time for a busy night shift at work!

For those that know me, you will be aware that it is near enough impossible for me to be quiet for an hour; so I feel that this 6 day silence is going to be the challenge of a lifetime!

I am remaining silent in aid of Mind - the mental health charity - an amazing organisation that supports individuals with mental illness and also campaigns to reduce the stigma amongst society. Having used this charity myself, I am aware of the work they do within communities to help sufferers stay safe and focused on the future.

During the silence, my head will be screaming with words it wants to say and blurt out. But I wont be able to. Instead, I will have to carry on within society, yet feeling different from everyone else around me. This is the situation that far too many people across the world are facing every single day because they are too afraid to speak out about their own thoughts. There is nothing shameful about admitting you suffer from a mental health condition, in fact it is extremely brave. 

Asking for help and talking to people about your worries and fears is a huge step in moving forward. I, for one, know now that if I hadn't have accepted help and spoken about my illness, I would be in a completely different position to where I am now. Talking (and quite often making a joke of) my illnesses are a key way in which I have come to understand them and accept them. Yes, they're still a part of me but I am no longer battling against them like I used to.

I am staying quiet, so that you can speak out. Go on, be brave and get your voice out there so that you can acquire the help you so greatly deserve.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, will be going towards such a wonderful cause.

Thank you for everyone's continued support, I really do appreciate it.

Liv x