Hi everyone,

Thank you for visiting! 

On Sunday the 21st of September I will be running 21km in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival half marathon! 

In doing so, I'd like to try and raise some money for headspace, Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

Over the past two years, my family and I have seen first-hand the damaging and devastating effects that mental health problems have on young people suffering and those around them. This  challenging and eye-opening experience has highlighted the importance of early-intervention and awareness, and our family has thankfully received much benefit from organisations such as headspace who provide help when people feel helpless. We have been lucky. 

It's estimated that around 45% of people will suffer some sort of mental health condition at some point in their lives. headspace focuses on the helping young people who are suffering through raising awareness, early-intervention, creating a support network and research. I believe it is important to build awareness of the great disabilty that is mental illness, and to destigmatize it so that those who are suffering are encouraged to speak out and ask for help, and those who see it know how to help.

Mental illness (such as depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxiety, psychosis or personality disorders to name a few) is alarmingly prevalent among us, and it is likely that we, or someone we know will benefit from foundations such as headspace at some point in our lives.

If you would like to get on board and show your support, any donation will be so greatly appreciated.

Thank you again!

Love Isabel