In 2014, I was forced to leave university after only six weeks because of anxiety, a problem I had never experienced beforehand. It stopped me from enjoying life and small day-to-day tasks became a struggle. After taking a gap year and being lucky enough to get help through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), I felt able to start uni again and I have now completed my degree. Struggling with mental health has given me an insight into how important self-care is and has helped me be a more empathetic person because you never know how someone is feeling inside. So many people experience some form of mental health problem and feel ostracised and unable to speak to anyone about it.

For that reason I am running the Great North Run for the first time in September to raise money for Mind - The Mental Health Charity. It is a wonderful charity offering advice and support for anyone struggling with their mental health. Mental health is something which affects us all and it is so important to have someone to talk to. I believe that this should no longer be a taboo subject and Mind strives to offer information and resources to both the person experiencing problems and their friends and family, helping to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and listening to my story.