As some of you know Alice and I took part in the CLASP charity walk last year, and to those of you who supported and donated a massive, massive thank you! We've decided to do the walk again this year, as we need to keep the momentum around these issues going! Please donate/donate again if you can. Thank you again for your support!

PS If you want to find out what happened last year, here's the writeup http://jazminbrooks.co.uk/walking-out-of-darkness-for-clasp-charity/

What are you doing?

I'm raising money to support CLASP, a mental health charity. Mental health related issues and the stigma that goes with them have affected so many people, including those that I love. I'm doing it for them.

You wouldn't tell someone with a broken leg to "get over it" and "walk", so why do people do that with mental health?

Some facts:

• 1/4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year
  
• Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain
  
• Our current system is broken. There is often a 6 month wait for mental health treatment on the NHS
  
• Over the last two years, on average 1 person has committed suicide every 90 minutes. This is preventable
  
• Between 8-12% of the population experience depression in any year. That's over 7 million people
  
• One in ten children between the ages of one and 15 has a mental health disorder
  
• The UK has one of the highest rates of self-harm in Europe
  

Why are you doing it?

I've wanted to do something to help raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health for a while. This seemed like the perfect fit as CLASP's vision mirrors what needs to happen in our mental health system. This monumental night walk across London will help support the brilliant work they are doing to make it happen. 

How can I help?

I know people get hit up for money for charity all the time, but every little helps! So please give what you can, or share this page as much as possible! THANK YOU!

Further Information

In the lead up to the walk I will be sharing information about the issues, but for now, here is Stephen Fry's piece, Only The Lonely http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/06/24/only-the-lonely/

Stats are from http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ and http://www.claspcharity.com/aboutus.htm

CLASP - Counselling Life Advice Suicide Prevention Charity raises awareness, support & funds for those suffering the Stigma surrounding Mental and Stress related illness and Suicide. Supporters include the Medical Advisory Service, Financial Ombudsman Outreach, Royal College of Nursing & many more.