Mental illness is something which affects every single one of us in one way or another. Everyone knows someone; but in spite of this, and substantial progress being made with increased awareness and understanding, we as a society and the services that treat people still have a way to go. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting 1.25 million people across the UK. 

And I too am no stranger to mental illness. For me , as a scared 14-year-old, hospitalised in an eating disorder unit in London after recently being diagnosed with anorexia, my friends, family and I felt bewildered. Support can be hard to find for carers, and additionally, in many cases, the support provided to someone struggling just isn't adequate. The mental health services are often described as a bit of a 'postcode lottery' - the level of care received can be the difference between living in a different town. This is where organisations aside from generalised services play such a vital role; BEAT is a charity which provides a wealth of information, support, to both sufferers and carers, family, friends - anyone affected in one way or another by eating disorders of any kind. It was my family and I's first port of call when looking endlessly for some kind of answers about what was happening to me, and how we could escape from such awful depths. On average, sufferers face an average wait of three and a half years for specialist treatment, with the average illness lasting six years.

Beat exists to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. They offer free services 365 days a year, and aim to support 40,000 people this year.

From my own experience and those whom i have met along the way, I feel very passionately about standing up for such an important charity. Beat relies on donations; fundraising like this, to keep going and keep carrying out the amazing work and progress which they have so far made - and will continue to make. My only hope is that one day, eating disorders will be treated in a way far differently; seeing individuals as people, not a diagnosis - early intervention helps to combat potential years of suffering that can entail with such illnesses. It isn't right. Everyone deserves to live in a world where care given is as adequate for mental, as for physical illness.

Without the help and support I have received in the past 5, 6 years with my own struggle, I would not be here today. I am braving The Big Jump in aid of Beat, the UK's eating disorders charity. On Saturday 6 October I take on the ultimate fear facing challenge and leap from an aeroplane at 10,000ft, alongside other brave fundraisers all over the UK.
If anything, the past years have taught me that fear is - mostly - in your mind. I'm hoping this will be a testament to that philosophy ;)
Thank you for reading; any donation - whether it is £1, or £100 - goes a long way, and helps to reach the bigger-picture goal: a world where eating disorders are no longer misunderstood, shrouded in stigma, and the level of care is universal for all.

<3 Freya xx-