Story
Why Mind?
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England and 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.
We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
In 2022, following a series of significant life changes, I found myself in a position of loneliness, poor self-esteem and spiralling mental health. It quickly began impacting more and more areas of my life such as work and relationships, and soon i started experiencing panic attacks. As a result, for the first time at 32, I reached out to my GP for support with my mental wellbeing.
Whilst i was signposted to a local service and fell within their criteria, due to the demands on the service they were unable to provide any immediate appointments with a consultant. What followed was monthly text updates stating how busy the service was, that my case was being progressed as quickly as possible and they would update again soon. The text updates continued for months. Almost a year after first contacting my GP, I received an appointment.
In the meantime, I had been proactive in taking steps to manage my mental health. I was using online services, such as Mind, had opened up to my friends, started new hobbies to build my confidence, and was excited to have secured a new job. I was finally feeling positive, resilient and in control again.
The appointment lasted twenty minutes and ended with the consultant telling me I no longer met the criteria for their service and if I wanted further support, I would need to access this elsewhere. I was discharged from their service. Despite the progress I had made during the time in-between, I got back to my car and cried. I felt disappointed. Inevitably, the experience was one of reflection on the sheer volume of people accessing local mental health services and why they are so stretched. However, I also felt sorry for others who must be following a similar path and not receiving support they may desperately need or discovering they are no longer eligible for it when it becomes available.
This experience highlighted the importance and impact of Mind and the incredible support they provide through their helplines, local Minds networks and online advice to ensure people can access help when they need it most.
After running my first half marathon in May 2024, it is a privilege to be running for Team Mind at the London Marathon 2025 and fundraising to support those who depend on their services.
About Mind.
When you're experiencing a mental health problem, supportive and reliable information can change your life. That's what we do. We empower people to understand their condition and the choices available to them through the following:
1. We change minds - across England and Wales by making mental health an everyday priority. By standing up to the injustices - in healthcare, in work, in law - which make life harder for those of us with mental health problems.
2. We support minds - by offering help whenever you might need it through our information, advice and local services.
3. And we connect minds - bringing together an unstoppable network of individuals and communities - people who care about mental health to make a difference.
Mind's Services.
1. Our Infoline offers callers confidential help for the price of a local call.
2. Our Legal Line provides information on mental health related law to the public, service users, family members/carers, mental health professionals and mental health advocates.
3. Our award-winning information is certified by the PIF Tick.
For more information about Mind's impact, visit: https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-impact/
Need support?
If you need support head to Get Help Now https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/ or visit the Information & Support page for further details, resources and stories https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/