I've never run a marathon before but...

Via the school my two sons have attended, as well as very good friends of mine who are also parents, I've known several young people who have suffered the severest of mental health problems over the last couple of years. 

In my working life, as Principal Analyst with HardenStance, I'm an industry analyst rather than a hands-on day to day cyber security practitioner. But in this sector where I make a living there's also a very high incidence of mental health problems. 

It might be from engaging with cyber criminals trying to keep them out, or trying to minimize the havoc they can wreak once they get in. It might be from managing and countering online images of abuse or fake news. Or it might be from protecting traumatized victims against stalkers flitting between on-line and physical world threats and intimidation. The work of information security or cyber security professionals is critical but it can also be highly corrosive of their own mental and emotional well being. 

Every penny you donate here will go to MIND, one of the UK's most respected and trusted mental health charities. Thanks for reading - and wish me luck running the Brighton Marathon!