Place2be's aims are to increase and improve mental health support in schools. This is so important as it creates a culture whereby people feel comfortable and encouraged to tackle their personal challenges and more importantly have the resources to do so! 

1 in 8 children today have a diagnosable mental health problem. 50% of people with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age 14. Rates of depression and anxiety among teenagers have increased by 70% in the past 25 years. This is why Place2Be's work in schools throughout the UK is so important.

I really believe that the work being done over the last 25 years at Place2be has changed many people's lives for the better! And also saved many lives! Mental health struggles are a daily challenge for most of us, but tackling these issues and giving us the tools to do so earlier rather than later makes a world of difference.

My motivation: I've struggled through personal
battles and I'm sure many of you have also. Only over the last year or so have I ever really been aware of them, or accepted that they exist. As adults, this is a hard enough feat, taking a lot of energy/ research/ time/ conversations and reflection to do so. Yet through our infancy and adolescence, we are just expected to blindly thrive, navigating through challenges we may not even fully understand, in such competitive environments, with minimal guidance. 

With the year that we've been experiencing it's definitely a perfect time to highlight these issues and make sure systems are in place to support our younger generations as they try to get back to normal.

My How? So... on the 19th of August, I
will be Finishing my last exam (ever!!) at Lancaster University at 12:00 and at
12:30 I’ll be setting off on a 12-DAY HIKE Home to Epsom (Arrival: 30th). This
will see me travel a grand total of 270 MILES, which is 22.5 mi/day, around
540,000 steps, doing just shy of a marathon a day for nearly two weeks- ALL ON
FOOT! 

Over the next 5 1/2 weeks ...and beyond, I will be sharing my past and present thoughts and challenges, trying to be as transparent as possible to help 'practice what I’m preaching' and encourage others to do the same!!!

It's going to be hard, it's going to be fun, it's going to be very interesting
having not done anything like this before. So any support would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

I'd feel honored if you could help me to help place2be improve children and young people’s mental health. Anything you can contribute towards helping me achieve my target will be massively appreciated?

Peace
and Love- P

Thank you