Amir Dhillon
MOVEMBER IX - MIND | AMIR
Fundraising for Mind
Story
Search #MovemberAmir to see all of this year's posts: instagram.com/tags/movemberamir
*FINAL 2020 UPDATE:*
TOTAL FOR 2020: £9,762.99 (£8,354.36 + £1,408.63 GiftAid)
9️⃣
TOTAL OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS: £42,415.66 | total for Mind since 2014: £41,084.98
WE DID IT. £9700+ in our 9th year.
Mental health truly is mo(re) important than it ever has been. We are elated that, despite the situation (economic and otherwise) we are all in, we’ve once again beaten our own record. We could not be more grateful for the astounding generosity of you all, and are so proud of this year’s volunteers for sharing their own mental health experiences – touching on cancer scanxiety, mental health stigma for men, fatphobia, loneliness and more.
As some of the messages we’ve received (such as the quotes in the image above) show, there is an intangible, huge value in that part of the campaign from our courageous and brilliant volunteers. Thank you to them, and everyone who has shared, donated to, and supported us in one way or another – and especially to the brilliant @Mind, who do so much crucial work for mental health – including just making the government pass the Winter Mental Health Support plan. It’s a privilege to raise money for you.
I personally want to thank this wonderful, wonderful woman – my wife, Navreen, for the MOnumental role she has played every year since we’ve met in these campaigns and with my own mental health too. Although I’m the (hairy) face of each campaign, Navreen, as many of you know, is essentially a creative director and a true partner. From brainstorming ideas with me (like the entire #TashandTales interview concept), to coming up with new ideas (like Mo-nica, Tiger King, and so many more) as well as helping me edit my captions, to staging the shoots and doing my make-up and much mo…This really is OUR campaign together and has been for many years. Thank you for everything, Navi.
To anyone who is struggling, please reach out. Seek professional help. Use the resources available from @Mind and other incredible charities for support. Find things that can help in any way (we did two wrap-up video interview segments this year on mental health and the pandemic – a free starting point); we all deserve help -- as one of our volunteers said this year, “the misconception is mental health conditions are permanent – they’re not and they are very amenable to treatment.”
Let’s continue to make positive changes for mental health happen – at this grassroots level and in anyway we can.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, once again.
ORIGINAL BIO:
In the 9 years of my Movember campaigns thus far, no year has been more important for mental health. 〰️
At the time of writing, a second lockdown is inevitable/guaranteed. Whether small momentary struggles or overarching anxieties, there is no doubt that mental health support and awareness is as critical as it is now. This year, there is no REAL target like previous years; although let's see if we can beat last year's total, as with every year so far! However given the current climate, I genuinely don't care if this year we don't hit target - give if you can, but really this year there is only the desire that you support, in any way you can (sharing, donating, whatever), the cause of mental health in a time where this support is more crucial than it ever has been.
As with the past few years, the goal is to increase education and awareness by sharing people's mental health stories and experiences -- but also to encourage fundraising, and get people engaged through the usual "parody posts"...which I hope will provide some relief on your news feeds this year. Unlike last year (but as with some previous years), I've given myself a headstart for comedy value and to get that 'tash twirling!
You all know that I have supported Mind for years, and waxed lyrical about their incredible work. For this year, I'll link to their amazing COVID-related efforts, and ask for shares of our annual mental health-educational/awareness posts as much as (if not more than) donations, in the hope it helps us all at least a little.
Please donate, or share awareness of, this crucial issue. Through sharing experiences, raising awareness, and supporting Mind financially, we can make sure that anyone who needs mental health support gets it, and along the way, we can help each other in these unpredictably difficult times.
Take care of yourselves, each other, and your mental health.
All my love,
Amir xxxxxxxxx
DONATE: justgiving.com/fundraising/amirmovember2020
ABOUT MIND'S AMAZING COVID WORK: mind.org.uk/coronavirus-we-are-here-for-you
PS - an enormous thank you to my wife, Navreen, for her help this year as with every year. This campaign is pretty much 50-50 for us both now (as you may be able to tell from the past few years), so I couldn't be more grateful for the massive role she plays in making these campaigns as impactful as possible.
- TOTAL OVER 8 YEARS SO FAR: £32,640.17
- TOTAL FOR MIND (6 YEARS): £31,309.49
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