Jilly Walstow

[p]I’ve always struggled with my mental health, sometimes worse than others but I’m always aware I need to be mindful of how I’m feeling. [/p][p]Last spring I was feeling so good in fact I was planning on reducing my medication, I went away for a week on a yoga retreat and came back bouncing, a week later everything crashed down around me & I was at rock bottom [/p][p]I had been there before, or so I thought...[/p][p] I had a support worker, counselling and the crisis team along with the GP involved this time so I knew it was bad, my medication was increased higher than ever and I spent months contemplating suicide. [/p][p]Healthy minds gave me hope, they gave me space to work through things and most of all they gave me a reason to fight[/p][p]they gave me a place in the virgin London marathon 28/04/2019 [/p][p]the anniversary of my trauma, so this year instead of hiding away thinking about that time last year [/p][p]I will be in London quite literally running for my life! [/p][p]The least I can do to repay Healthy minds is to raise £2,000 for them, [/p][p][br][/p][p] I’m honoured to have been given the chance to run London marathon for my local mental health charity Healthy minds, and I aim to do them proud. [/p][p][br][/p][p]Only 25-35% of people with mental illness access treatment, the remainder self manage, [/p][p]In the 10 years Healthy minds have been operational they have helped 13.524 people via support groups, yoga sessions, an allotment, a walking group, and much more [/p][p][br][/p][p]Their educational programs have delivered 286 workshops to 7725 people in schools and the wider community. [/p][p][br][/p][p]92% of these people said they felt better able to cope, less isolated, reduced anxiety and now had achievable goals [/p][p][br][/p][p]Healthy minds also has ‘safe space’ out of hours emotional support for those in distress [/p][p][br][/p]