I recently overheard someone laugh about a well known sports personality in the news who is struggling with mental health issues, this really frustrated me. The comment was "how can he have any sort of issues with a bank balance like that".  In saying this, I do not blame the individual who said this but I do blame society for not speaking about it more openly and turning a blind eye to a serious matter.

Mental health does not choose to target people that are less or more financially fortunate than others, it is a serious illness where people need to feel more comfortable to talk about it in its early stages. When you are speaking to someone, things may seem great looking in but no one knows what is going on inside. Just because we cannot see any physical damage does not mean it is not important or "not our problem".

I would like to do my bit by attempting the Great Scottish Run on Sunday October 1st which will consist of 13.2 miles / 22 km. My chosen charity is Mental Health UK who try to improve the lives of people with mental illness, and to support carers. The money I raise for Mental Health UK will contribute to the following charities:-

• Support in mind Scotland (Scotland)
• Rethink Mental Illness (England)
• Hafal (Wales)
• Mind Wise (Northern Ireland) 

Thank you for taking the time out to read this page, it is greatly appreciated - every penny helps!