So I'm not very vocal about my mental health issues, and while i'm happy to share my physical ailments, what follows might be news to some of you, but not others. 

This time last year, I was in the midst of the most dangerous bout of depression i've encountered since my 20's. Depression for me is a genetic / familial issue, that's predisposed me to some horrible situations, and I've been battling mental illness in various forms since I was 19. Despite my wonderful wife, life and friends, and all my years of medication, training, therapy, and self-help tools, I sank to the pits of the earth, and was planning to end my own life. On top of this, had a horrendous time physically with 3 slipped discs, a collapse, septicaemia and extended time in hospital all in a few months. I finally underwent a disc op in November, which even is still far from 100% healed. 

While pharmaceutical psychiatric drugs were some help, I desperately needed some counselling, and some help understanding the life-long issues, and repeating patterns in my anxiety, depression and paranoid episodes, that were being further magnified by being cut off from family, friends, and by my intense pain, immobility, complications from psychoactive pain medications etc. Just someone to tell me that it was going to be ok again, once day. 

Mersey Counselling and Therapy Centre is a charity run by a wonderful woman, Angela O'Connor, who gives most of her time to the centre, and provides judgement-free support, guidance and counselling for anyone in need. I found these guys at my lowest, and do not know where I would be (or not) today, without the help I've had to date.

On June the 12th, I intend to walk 10 miles along the Wirral Coastline, which will be a massive physical triumph for me, while supporting the charity that possibly saved my life.   

Please pledge a few quid, or whatever you can, so that people can continue to have access to this unique service. 

Thanks for reading! :-) x