For years now I have struggled with my mental health and it has impacted every part of my life, from friendships, relationships, physical health and my family. Mental health can be a silent disease that often from the outside hides behind a facade created to obscure the internal struggle. I’m lucky, I have an empathetic family and a circle of friends that have supported me through my highs and my lows, some others however are not. This is where I hope to have an impact, no matter how small, on those who don’t have anyone to turn to, those who feel alone in their darkest of times. 

I have donated to the charity Mind for some years now and with world mental health day upcoming on the 10th October,  I have been given an opportunity to combine two things that I am passionate about. Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m am, for my ills, somewhat of a diehard Chelsea fan. This Saturday I will participate in a sponsored stair climb at Stamford Bridge Stadium. I needed to raise £300 to participate which I have paid upfront in full so I don’t need to ask any of you for money, if you would like to however, I will share the link to my funding page below where every penny will be donated to Mind to help them continue their outstanding work.

If all I achieve is for a single person to have a look at The Charity and see the amazing work and support that they provide, If all I achieve is for someone to pick up a phone and call someone that they care about but haven’t because “life got in the way” or if a single person turns to someone and ask them if they are ok then I will be more than happy.

The stair climb happens on Saturday which is very short notice but Ive struggled with the idea of putting this out here, the irony that this is to raise awareness was not lost on me. There are people out there whom are of the opinion that people who suffer with mental illness should just “man up” or “get on with things” because “everyone gets sad’ but I say to them that if you took some time and spoke to those who deal with this on a daily basis, you may realise that just as every physical aspect of one human’s body to another is different so are our minds and the way that they in fact hold that body together. For those of you that do struggle, there are people out there who care, you may not know them but Mind will and does provide an amazing resource for you to find them. 

Much love to one and all x 

JD

KTBFFH