One in four of us will suffer with a mental illness in our life-time.

3 in 100  people suffer with depression.

6 out of 100 people suffer with anxiety.

Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, this is
one person every 40 seconds.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally.

Mind charity is an amazing support network for anybody
experiencing mental health problems. I feel it is so important to raise
awareness towards the great support that they offer and to help bring an end to the stigma attached to those who suffer with mental health problems.

I would never usually talk about such personal things to
such a large audience, especially if I didn't think it would make a difference but this is a cause that needs support, that needs more awareness and is a service that needs bettering in the UK. 

The last 3 years have been the hardest that I could ever
have imagined. It is fair to say that my own life has been turned upside down by mental illness, the diagnosis of depression has made my day-to-day life a genuine struggle. It’s exhausting, mentally and physically tiring and sometimes even getting through the day is a challenge in itself. Mental illness takes over your life and turns you into a person that doesn’t want to socialise, doesn’t want to speak to anyone, knows no other way of dealing with things than harming yourself and it changes your mind-set in such a way that you feel there is no other option than to end your own life.

The effects of mental illness are devastating as I have
learnt.

However, with the amazing support of my family, my friends
and the one on one support from specific staff from my school, I am finally finding a way to deal with my illness at the same time as living my life rather than just existing.

I’ve decided to set myself a challenge, which I hope will
give my mind some focus and ultimately, keep me motivated to keep going on the days I don’t want to be around anymore. Because I know if I can keep going every day, then I can raise awareness to support people in the same boat as me .

Over the next 6 months I want to raise as much money as I
can before I start my new adventure in America on a soccer scholarship. Myself and my friend Chloe will be participating in numerous events with the main one of taking on the challenge of a walk from Leeds to London in 10 days to try and raise as much money as possible for such an amazing charity! If I can help or inspire at least one person with my story then I’ve already succeeded!

If you could donate, or contribute to some sort of
sponsorship in any way, it would mean the world to me!

Thank you x

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