Million Step Challenge Week 8 - Getting back on track

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Thankfully as this week has progressed I have felt fitter and now back to full strength so the step total has progressed quite well with another 107.554 steps added to the total which currently stands at 762.154 .it was interesting to find out that my Million steps will total in the region of 503 miles.

When I was at home recovering from my two day stay in Addenbrookes it gave me the opportunity to watch the Mortimer & Whitehouse fishing series again.

Bob & Paul have managed to deliver a programme that I am sure has lifted the spirits of thousands of people across the country with their light hearted comments ,entertainment and care of the environment with the fishing thrown in but far more importantly discussing so many things relating to health. With both Bob & Paul having had serious heart conditions and Bob having open heart surgery they discuss how they felt when diagnosed and the treatment that followed but then move on during the series to talk about mental health and the importance of talking about mental health.

n series 3 episode 6 fishing on the river Wye Bob arranges for Paul and himself to talk to Dr Anand Patel from the centre for mens health.

Bob asks Dr Patel how would you suggest people tell somebody that they are struggling and the reply from the doctor was simple. Tell your doctor, family member or friend that I’ve not wanted to talk about this but I am feeling low?  
Since starting this million step challenge I have had more and more people coming forward to talk to me about what they have been through with their mental health which in itself is very rewarding as this is what the challenge is about along with raising funds for SHOUT 85258 .

I personally have no professional training on dealing with mental health and can only talk to people about what I went through personally following a serious accident and the treatment I went through but more importantly showing that you can recover and have a coping mechanism to deal with your own health. And to be honest going through depression and PTSD has made me a far better person and far more considerate and understanding along with managing my life and time in a better way. I admit that I  was a workaholic but now try to have a structure to my life , Yes I still work hard but also try to have family time , and social time either fishing or working on my charity events.  

It is strange how once people break the ice to talk about their problems it can open the floodgates this was the case on Thursday evening when the Hall Of Fame Inductions took place at Cambridge United. The organisers very kindly made the decision to donate the money raised in the heads & tails competition to my million step challenge but also asked me to speak for a few minutes about the challenge and why I was doing it. What I did not expect was at the end of the evening for two people come forward to say they had been suffering with mental health one of which mentioned they had tried to talk about their problem to people and  said they were told to just get over-it . What was nice was the person said after listening to what I said and having a chat it was the first time they had not felt alone for a very long time.

This is exactly why things have to change and people should not be afraid to talk about how they are feeling? Trust me it could save a life. 

Although the funds did not increase as much this week as I would have liked I am pleased to say that yet another company donated to show their support for mental health. So special thanks to AJW Distribution Ltd. The total now sits £4320

I have been asked by several people if I intend to undertake a walk were people can join me. And to be honest I had not really thought about it but I will now have a look for somewhere that would be suitable and that offers parking and an interesting environment and possibly set a date on a Sunday before Christmas.

Thanks again for your support and please spread the word.

Ian Darler B.E.M

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