Melbourne Half Marathon for Mind

Hi, I’m Kyal Humberstone, and I’ve been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to run in the Melbourne Half Marathon, proudly sponsored by Nike, where I work. I wanted to use this moment not just as a personal challenge, but as a way to raise awareness and funds for a cause that I—and many others—can deeply relate to: mental health.

For nearly two years now, I’ve been living with anxiety. In the beginning, I didn’t even realise what I was dealing with. I experienced dizziness, chest pain, and pain in my arms—and I had no idea these were signs of anxiety. It wasn’t until I had a panic attack on a bus and ended up calling the ambulance, convinced I was having a heart attack, that I finally began to understand what was happening.

Like many people, I tried to manage it on my own. But the panic attacks continued, and eventually, I sought medical advice. Although my support came through the NHS, the guidance I received closely aligned with the kind of help Mind offers every day.

Mind is a mental health charity that provides vital support and information to people struggling with their mental health. In just one year (2023–24), they responded to over 122,000 queries and their online resources were accessed more than 25 million times. They fight for better mental health services, provide guidance, and most importantly—help save lives.

I’m now on the road to recovery. Mental health struggles don’t disappear overnight, but with the right support, they can be managed. That’s why I’m proud to be running for Mind—to help make sure more people get the help they need, when they need it.

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling to open up, please know you’re not alone. I’m always open for a chat if you ever need someone to talk to. Speaking up really does make a difference—and it’s the first step toward feeling better.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If you can, please consider donating—even £5 can help support this brilliant cause and change lives.

Thanks, Kyal