I'm a man, which means that it's not conventional for me to talk about how I am - whether that's physically or mentally.

My standard response is generally "I'm good, thanks" or "not too bad".

Sometimes that's accurate, sometimes it's a long way from the truth.

For most of my life I've battled with mental health issues, except it took me a long, long time to recognise them as such.

I did eventually get diagnosed with depression, anxiety and OCD, which was a life changer.

With diagnoses came help through counselling, CBT and anti-depressants. I was also able to open up to some people I trusted. My stresses reduced with support from family, friends and colleagues.

6 or 7 years post diagnoses, my mental health struggles haven’t gone away – I’m just better able to cope with them (usually).

In the summer of 2021 I looked for more help – counselling could only help for limited periods of time and I didn’t want to keep burdening the same family and friends with worry about how I was.

I found that help through Team Talk (https://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/team-talk) – an initiative run by Derby County Community Trust where men can get together a few times a week and support each other with their struggles.

It’s provided a confidential outlet, some really good friends, and a welcome break once or twice a week.

Through Team Talk I’ve witnessed first hand how important it is for men to talk about their mental health and to encourage others to do so.

I’ve benefitted massively – I’m on more of an even keel, but even when I’m not I know I can rely on Team Talk to help me get back to myself.

Lately I've also become part of "Dad's Space" - another group run by the Trust to get dads talking, sharing, and supporting each other.

Team Talk and Dad's Space are so important to protect men's mental health and to encourage them to share their problems so I want to give something back to the Trust.

I wanted to do so with a personal challenge that would test me mentally as well as physically, whilst raising awareness for the great done by the Trust - in particular to get men talking about their mental health.

At the moment I struggle to walk very far – so I came up with the bright idea of walking between the places where I’ve received support from the Trust.

The challenge will take place in July and in all is 7 or 8 miles:

• Starting at the Trust’s offices (where I first found support)

• To St Peter’s Church in Derby (where they run a Friday Team Talk session)

• To St Philips Church in Chaddesden (where they run Thursday Dad's Space and Team Talk sessions, and a community breakfast one Saturday each month)

• Finishing at Pride Park Stadium – home to the new Hub for the Community Trust and my regular haunt every Monday (for Team Talk) and some Thursdays (for Dad’s Space)

I'd appreciate it if you could support me - but more importantly I'd love it if you could get the males around you to talk more about their own mental health.