In 2019 I will be running and competing in 12 half marathons races in 12 months to raise money for the mental health charity Bristol Mind. 1 in 4 people of any age and from any background find themselves experiencing problems at some time, and that includes myself. For the last 8 years I have found myself at various points in my life battling depression and anxiety, never quite understanding how I was truly feeling until early this year. For me it was very much an issue I tried to sweep under the carpet by dismissing it as being "one of those things", whilst trying to tell myself to "grow a pair" and "get on with being a man". But of course, that didn't work, and it wasn't I realised one thing that I was able to start breaking out of the world of negativity I found myself in; It's okay not to be okay.

My goal is to raise not just funding for Bristol Mind but also the awareness of mental health in general, in an effort to help remove the stigma that stops so many people from reaching out for the support they really need.

Bristol Mind's mission statement: 

"Bristol Mind is a local resource committed to positively supporting individuals on their personal journey of recovery from the impact of emotional distress. Our staff and volunteers provide a range of accessible, relevant and empowering services that contribute to emotional and mental wellbeing and promote social inclusion. We recognise the importance of challenging stigma and discrimination and working alongside others towards a socially just society that supports good mental health for all."

Here's a few things your money could help provide Bristol Mind with:

For more information visit https://bristolmind.org.uk.

Not sure how much to donate? How about a pound a race? 

Thanks for reading and (hopefully) donating to such a great and personal cause!

Dan