At the age of 23 I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia, I was left unable to work, declining mental health and anxiety. Unable to find any help, I made several suicide attempts. I then spent the next 7 years trying every therapy/counselling I could get my hands on. Nothing worked for me. Unable to live independently I moved back to Devon to live with my parents. They do all the things for me that would otherwise drain my energy, (cooking, shopping, animal care, house work etc) so that I can use my prescious energy reserves to do the things that are beneficial for my physical and mental health, Including running when I can. This last year I started working with a wonderful lady called Sarah from Devon Mind, to try therapy for one more time. After hitting 30 I was getting desperate, the feelings of shame and guilt and worthlessness were bigger than ever before. But through Devon Mind, I've come to accept my health Diagnoses, and what that means for me. I've learnt to show compassion for myself, and not feeling guilty for doing things I love doing and that are beneficial for me. Unable to work reliably or consistently, and feeling like a burden on society (often thanks to societal stigma) has crippled my mental health. But Sarah and Devon Mind has given me the tools to accept where I am physically, emotionally and metaphorically.

The waiting list for this support is long, (as is most NHS organisations) yet it's the sort of help that could mean the difference between life or death to some people. Help with mental health is often not given in time, or not sought due to stigmas. This needs to change, please help donate, or share, so that more people can have access to this service and feel able to seek out the help.