“How you doing?”           
“Yeah I’m good thanks, you?”

That friend attempted suicide that night.

I didn’t even know he was feeling that way. All of our conversations were the same: we joked, talked about football, he smiled like normal – seemed happy like normal. I thought everything was ok.

He wasn’t ok.

Over the past few months I have had two friends attempt suicide: they were living a life no one could see and felt that was their only option.  

It has made me think…that’s just two that I know about. How many more people are struggling?

So, during the next year, I am going to be completing a range of events to raise money for Hull and East Yorkshire Mind.

This will enable the vital work of this charity to continue to support local people suffering from depression or with other mental health issues, and raise awareness of the support available.

Conversations about mental health can be difficult, but if you think that someone might be struggling, just ask. Ask twice if you need to. Listen to them, be calm and understanding.

Don’t worry about not having an answer or a fix for them, just be there. Just listening will make a massive difference and your support could encourage them to realise it is OK to approach organisations like HEY Mind and ask for help.

Together we can #BreakTheStigma

Across the next year I will do a series of events including a marathon, family fun days, afternoon tea parties and leg waxing the final fundraiser will be a trip to walk the Great Wall of China.

Of the money raised a minimum of 51% will go directly to charity and I hope over the next year to raise awareness of the services HEY Mind provide.