Why good mental health is so important to us

Trigger warning: This article mentions suicide

Helping the UK recover from the mental health crisis caused by the pandemic is not something we can achieve alone. That’s why we’re so grateful to people like Megan and her mum, for taking part in our first ever 20km night walk, Glow, to raise valuable funds for Mental Health UK.

Hi! My name’s Megan and my mum is called Sarah. We’re taking part in Glow for Mental Health UK this Saturday. I lost my dad 13 years ago to suicide due to mental health (schizophrenia). Mental Health UK is a charity very close to home and I’m excited and proud to be taking part in something that means so much to me. My dad was my world and always will be and I’m doing it in memory of him. I look forward to meeting everyone, giving each other support and hearing different stories!

– Megan

Our fantastic supporter, Shiam, also decided to come along to our night walk and do his bit for mental health. Having experienced depression and anxiety himself, he feels passionately that more needs to be done to break the stigma around mental health and empower people to seek help if they need it.

In March 2020 I suffered a breakdown – I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety to the point that I had to go on medication. I went from being on top of the world to being at the lowest of lows. I found myself in a very dark place and I was suffering on the inside but still putting on a brave face.

Everything got too much for me and, as I had bottled it up for some time, it all came out in one go. I started to self-harm to somehow ease the pain! I tried to end my life on two occasions, and before it got worse, I decided to seek help.

I think what triggered me initially was a breakup, but I soon realised that this was just the surface of the issues. I always thought mental health couldn't affect me. I thought I was strong, but it just shows you that it can happen to anyone.

I vowed to myself that I would speak out and support anyone that was going through something similar because at the time the feeling was so horrible. I'm still in recovery and for the past few months I've been feeling a little low, but I’m trying to push through it with therapy. Most of all I'm trying to find myself again.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story, I hope it can help at least one person to speak up.

– Shiam

Your donation will make the difference

Just £10 could help pay for a call to our advice and information line, supporting someone living with mental illness who may be feeling in distress during this time.

Donate today