In Scotland, around 1 in every 4 people will experience a mental health problem. That could well mean 1 in every 4 people in your classroom; your workplace; your church; your neighbourhood; or even your family.  Chances are we all know some of those 1 in 4.

And yet statistics say that some 25% of those people will wait more than a year before seeking help with those difficulties; that 50% of Scottish health boards struggle to provide access to psychological therapies within 18 weeks of referral; and that 9 out of 10 people say they have experienced stigma or discrimination relating to their mental health.

SAMH - The Scottish Association for Mental Health - seeks to take positive steps towards a mentally healthy Scotland by striving to  combat stigma; to provide help, information and support; and to campaign on behalf of people with mental health problems.

Personally, I've been that 1 person amongst those 4 and I've known others among my friends, classmates, church & youth groups who have been too. I know from lived and witnessed experience that organisations like SAMH are truly vital and that there's a lot of work still to do.

Throughout this year I'm hoping to raise money and support SAMH by taking part in a variety of challenges and events.
I'll be attempting to run 5k in the Colour Me Rad event in Aberdeen on Saturday 6th June; swimming a mile in Loch Lomond as part of the Great Scottish Swim on Saturday 29th August; and then abseiling from the Forth Rail Bridge on Sunday 18th October. Eeek!

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I really appreciate you taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

To find out more about SAMH visit them at samh[dot]org[dot]uk

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