Firstly - yes you have read correctly, I am doing a triathlon!

Yes I can only just doggy paddle a length of a pool
Yes I don't like being in water where my feet don't touch the bottom
Yes I have a weird phobia of fish and would hate swimming in a lake
Yes I don't have a bike and have never cycled more than a few miles
Yes I am wonky and have knee problems so can't run very well

BUT

Yes I will swim 750m (almost half a mile) in a cold lake full of fish
Yes I will then cycle 20km (almost 12.5miles)
Yes I will then run 5km (slightly over 3miles)

WHY?

A year ago, I knew very little about mental illness but the seriousness of it has become apparent to me recently as I know a few people affected. I've found myself using information available through Rethink Mental Illness to help me try to understand how we can support those affected and what they may be going through.

Mental illness has a real stigma attached to it and there are no quick fixes.  Rethink is doing incredible work to try and change this, support those affected and ensure a better life for them.  They offer advice, information and support, campaign for policy change and carry out research.

Mental health problems now affect 1 in 4 people, but so little is spoken of it or known about it.  The statistics for schizophrenia are an eye opener with 24 million people worldwide affected and more than 50% of them are not receiving appropriate care.  1 in every 100 people will experience schizophrenia in their lifetime and on average they will die 15-20 years younger.  More facts can be found in these brilliant inforgraphics from Rethink: http://bit.ly/szcomm 

 

Thank you so much for your support, it is appreciated hugely.

Sarah x

P.S. please remember to tick the GIFT AID box if you're a UK tax payer as it means the charity will get a brilliant 25% extra on your donation from the tax man - and we all love making him cough up don't we?!