1 in 4 people will experience a problem with their mental health each year in England. Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it doesn’t always get paid the same mind and attention as other areas of wellbeing and health does. I learnt this the hard way….

At the age of 23 I tried to take my own life, prior to this I had battled self harm for a decade and always struggled with anxiety from the age of 4, but I just kept ignoring it. Why? Because it wasn’t discussed in my household, not talked about at school, not touched on at work so I just stayed silent, but staying silent nearly cost me my life. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and ptsd in 2020. My entire world fell apart upon my diagnosis, I’d spent years thinking I was just a worrier, and having an answer was bittersweet. In one breath it was a relief to know what was wrong but in another I was scared that I was broken and no good. I didn’t know much about ptsd if it would be forever, how did I get rid of it and was that really the cause for all my nightmares and flashbacks?

But then I got through to mind, and mind talked to me about ptsd and anxiety disorder and suddenly everything made sense, once I understood what was happening I could see the light and a future. Through my own pain I have found my passion for helping others (which I do in my day job and small business) and where possible partaking in events such as this one to raise important funds for services that we truly need. If I hadn’t had services such as mind to be there for me when I needed support most, my story could be very different. These days I manage my anxiety far better, and my ptsd most days is untraceable, it’s been a long journey of healing and finding peace again, and I hope mind can continue to offer that hope for the future to lots of people for many more years to come. Mind stood by me, did not judge me, did not shame me, the advisors there showed me compassion, care and consideration for my story and my conditions.

Through my own battles I truly understand the pain and suffering in silence that so many endure and I want to help mind to help more people, and there’s no hiding or denying the fact that funds are needed in order for mind to be able to offer more to those in need of their support.

So where will your donation to my fundraiser go?

*£5 could help put information in local GP surgeries, helping people to make the crucial first step in seeking help.

* £10 could help mind answer calls to their info line, providing them with vital support and information about help in their area.

* £15 could fund someone experiencing mental health problems to attend a group therapy session.

* £7.60 could offer a lifeline to someone in desperate need of support from Mind's Info and Legal Helplines.

*£20 could help mind run their online peer community support side by side for an hour, helping people connect with others and feel less alone.

* £21 could fund an hour of Elefriends, Mind's amazing and vital online community that provides peer support to tens of thousands of people.

If you have got to the end thank you so much for reading and supporting.

My own story and reasons aside, most importantly I am doing this for and in memory of my mum Nicola Price 27/11/1974 - 02/02/2018. ❤️