I run because it makes me happy. It’s the thing I do for me. I can go wherever I want, listen to my music and do not have to talk to anyone. As a teacher and a Mum I have to talk all the time. I like talking, but I don’t love it and I definitely need a break from it sometimes.

I first started running when I was at school because it was the only sport that I was any good at; I did it throughout my A-levels to have a break with my brother; when I left university I did it as an escape from my office job, then I stopped.

When I was 25 I was diagnosed with depression. Nothing terrible had happened to me, I hadn’t lost the love of my life; suffered a horrendous injury; been treated awfully by someone. I had a breakdown and couldn’t go out, was scared of everything, needed my partner to accompany me anywhere I went. I couldn’t work, exercise, socialise. I felt as if someone had sucked the inside of me out.

As I gradually began to rebuild my life I began to run again and it really helped.

I identified that I’d struggled with anxiety and depression from when I was 14. I still do and probably always will. Most of the time I manage it, sometimes through medication, sometimes through exercise, sometimes through yoga and meditation, often through talking to my amazing family and friends. If I’d known that there were charities like Mind who could have helped me I may have not felt the isolation (of depression) that I sometimes felt when I was especially low.

I now use my experience and knowledge of mental health to help teenagers with emotional behavioural and learning difficulties. I have used resources and information provided by Mind and signposted young people to their website and helpline for support.

I am raising money for Mind to raise awareness of mental health disorders and to let people know the support and advice that is provided by this brilliant charity.

Thank you for reading my story xx