Half Marathon for Simon

Thankfully, the issue of mental health in society has over the last few years begun to get the attention that it deserves. I think we are all becoming aware of the range of challenges that a surprisingly large proportion of our fellow human beings have to deal with. Suicide is a leading cause of death for men in this country. Are we all beginning to accept that Mental Health is Health?

I could have written that a month ago and felt comfortable in my knowledge of the problem and the issues that it creates. And then it all became incredibly personal.

About 2 weeks ago we lost from this world a soul that I came to love through his sister who is my dear roommate. I am so blessed to know the family through Ila and so, so lucky to have spent time with Simon. I can’t begin to tell you how completely wrong it feels to know that someone this youthful, vibrant, beautiful, healthy, has left us. It’s not for me to talk about his struggles but I can say, if you just met him, you wouldn’t have known.

Mental health is health. Blessedly, there are now many more advocacy groups and charitable organizations playing their part in helping sufferers and their families and raising awareness that this is an insidious issue and likely more prevalent among the people we know than we might like to imagine.

I’m about to take 26,000 steps in a half-marathon in March. The first one I take before I ramp up my training is to dedicate that run to Simon and share these thoughts with you my friends. Simon’s family has identified The Jed Foundation as an organisation making a real difference in the struggle to help those with mental health issues. It is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. Please help me honour Simon by making a donation to The Jed Foundation.

Thank you so much.