Category: Anxiety

Pete, who suffers from anxiety and depression, has run seven marathons and raised several thousand pounds for Mind.

I ran the London Marathon for Mind in 2017, and that was life changing for me. It gave me so much confidence. I’d achieved something that was a massive challenge and had found something that made a big difference to my mental health.

Running got me outside and gave me goals and objectives. As well as being active, running helped me live in the moment, instead of worrying about the future or past, which I’d always done. I’ve now run seven marathons and raised several thousand pounds for Mind.

On 14 May 2022, I threw myself out of a plane! Actually, I was securely strapped to a qualified instructor who I put my complete faith in that they knew what they were doing! So why did I do this?

The skydive was petrifying and exhilarating all in one go! There were moments of pure terror combined with sheer excitement and adrenaline. I don’t think I could ever top that experience, but now I know that whenever I am floundering or thinking I can’t do something – I will think back to the day when I threw myself out of a plane and know that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

And, of course, I wanted to raise lots of money for the Mental Health Foundation, which does so much work around raising mental health awareness and prevention. So far, I have raised £1420 for the Foundation. Thank you to everyone that has donated and supported me through this truly life-changing event!

For Time to Talk Day, Vinnie tells us about his journey, from childhood up to the present day. After experiencing anxiety and depression for most of his life, creating art and volunteering with our charity gave him hope. He now works as a Mental Health Recovery Worker for Rethink Mental Illness, using his lived experience to support others in similar situations.

I completed a Fine Art degree at university. I didn’t care about doing anything with the degree, but it symbolised my recovery; how I found a positive way to manage my mental health. I went back to Rethink as a volunteer, to help run the art group.

Before long, I fell into another depression. I wanted to escape my troubles, so I got a job working in Kuwait and India. I remember thinking: I’ve just jumped out of the frying pan into the fire, what have I done? But I stuck it out and came back to the UK to continue volunteering.

I was happy creating art, helping others and keeping my brain distracted. I eventually applied for a Mental Health Recovery Worker role and have been supporting people for ten years now. I still have bad days, but I pick myself up by remembering where I’ve been and where I am now.

I was seven years old when I first struggled with suicidal ideation. Of course, back then I had no idea that’s what it was called. But that pain continued in the form of severe depression and anxiety throughout my childhood. I learned to mask my depression for many years, but I found it harder to mask the panic attacks I started dealing with in my late teen years.

Now, 20 years after first experiencing suicidal ideation, I have found recovery and my passion. I am a certified recreation therapist. I have worked in psychiatric hospitals and currently work as a case manager for more than 35 people. I see it as a privilege that each day, I get the opportunity to help others through their struggles with mental health.

I lived in relative silence and shame for many, many years. Too scared to open up and always worried about how others would perceive me.

I was first treated for depression and anxiety in my early 20’s, but it wasn’t until another 15 years later that I became more open and started to heal. It was good to know that I was feeling the way I did because of a medical reason. There was a reason, and there was hope.

In 2014 my family was spending Christmas in Mildura. We were walking to go out for dinner and my 6-year-old daughter stopped and asked “Dad, how long would it take to walk back home to Bannockburn?” I decided I would find her the answer by walking the 520kms myself. I did some planning and decided I wanted to raise money and awareness for mental health along the way.

After lots of research I decided to contact Black Dog Institute. I loved the work they did and knew I had to be part of it. They suggested I undergo some training and become a community presenter. We raised almost $15,000 along the way and always connected with the small communities we passed through and spoke about what we were doing and why. We started many conversations about mental health and On October 2, 2015 I was able to tell my daughter that it takes 13 days to walk from Mildura to Bannockburn.

At the end of high school, the overriding sense of helplessness that comes with depression became very real for me.

I found myself in a cycle of anxiety and depression because the familiarity of high school was gone, and a lot of my friends had moved away for study or work.

Through volunteering with the Black Dog Institute as a presenter, I’ve been able to share my story with many people.

Being a volunteer has given me a sense of purpose and community. I find the experience empowering and I feel like I’m making a difference. In my presentations, I am always conscious to emphasise two things: there is help available if you seek it, and no one is alone.

Hello, I’m James and I’m walking the coast of Britain for Mind! I set off on October 3rd, setting off from my home in North Wales to the coast at Caernarfon. I’ve kept the sea on my right for over 1400 miles, heading south along the edge of Wales and down onto the South West Coast Path…

I was excited again and driven with purpose. I believed in this walk, both as something that would be beneficial for myself and for Mind. Over 120 people have generously donated to Mind through my fundraiser, raising over £4760 so far.