As many of you will know, on Sunday 16th March 2014 my life turned upside down. My mum Jane Shellabear, who had been suffering for a couple of years with what we though was mild depression took her own life.

My mum was a loving and caring woman who would do anything for anyone and was supporting others through hard times in their lives. Up until her very last moments she was supporting friends through depression and some of the toughest times in their lives. She was a person to talk and discuss problems with even as her own problems became deeper.

My mum never told anyone of her problems how bad they had become. Her family, close friends and even medical professionals had no idea of the thoughts in her head and how bad her depression had become. She has left a husband Peter, and two children Tom (22) and Nikki (19) as well as many friends and family across the world. 

1 in 4 people will suffer with mental health issues in their lives and hundreds of thousands of people are suffering from depression right now. Depression isn't just simply feeling a bit sad or down for a few days, depression is an illness that grips peoples lives and makes them feel worthless and that they have nothing to live for.

There is currently a national crisis in the UK with budget cuts and spending reviews removing front line services for mental health patients. Mental health services get 13% of the NHS budget whilst treating well over 30% of all patients seen. Without the help of charities such as Mind and other mental health charities, people will not be receiving the vital help that they need at their darkest hour. 

Before my mum passed she had been receiving help from Mind and also makes reference to them in her final letters to us. Mind is an amazing charity that helps people in their darkest hours and now it is time to give something to an amazing charity that may one day help one of your family members through a rough part of their life and also possibly save someone else’s life.

This summer I will be Swimming, Cycling and running 3 triathlons with all the money raised going straight to Mind. All this summers triathlons that I will compete in are all full open water events and I will be taking part in the following:

·      1st June 2014 - Market Bosworth Open water triathlon

     NEW!! - Stowe House and Gardens open water Triathlon

·      22nd June 2014 - Wicksteed Park Open water triathlon

·      1st August 2014 - Virgin Active London Triathlon 2014 (At the London Excel arena and London Docks.

Mental illness is something a quarter of us will be affected by and it is by doing tiny steps we can change someone’s life. If you know someone is feeling down or depressed, why not pop in for a cup of tea, pick up the phone and reach out to someone who you know is going through a rough patch. It really can save someone’s life.

Mind is a brilliant charity that helps people in communities across the country. The likelihood is someone in your street, or even next-door to you is suffering or has suffered from mental illness. Why not donate and help people get through the hard times. Nothing will bring back my mum but let’s help prevent this happening to anyone else’s family. 

Tom

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.