John Snow Alumna

John Snow Alumna, Ellie Caley, runs for YoungMinds

Snow Alumna, Ellie Caley, has been running throughout November for the Charity Young Minds, she explains why below.

“Eight students have committed suicide in less than a month due to mental health issues”. As a student, reading this statistic terrified me and has really opened my eyes to the mental health crisis that we are facing, even more so today.

Leaving home for the first time and moving to a new city is a big challenge in itself, let alone having to be isolated from family and friends under COVID restrictions and missing out on valuable personal interactions with other peers. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that there are support services easily accessible for young and vulnerable people in order to prevent such tragedies from happening. This is something that I am very passionate about, having worked as JCR Welfare Officer last year with such a wonderful student support team in John Snow, I experienced first-hand the need and demand for support services for young people. I strongly believe that whatever someone is going through, they should not have to go through it alone.

So during November I decided to help raise awareness of mental health, particularly in students and young people during this difficult time. I decided to fund raise for YoungMinds which is “the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. They campaign, research and influence policy and practice”. The money they raise helps fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.

From Sunday 1 November I have been running a mile for every £10 that has been donated to YoungMinds and I have managed to raise over £400! Every penny raised goes towards the fight for young people's mental health and this is crucial now more than ever. Everyone’s support has been overwhelming and hugely appreciated, not only by me but the thousands of young people that need support through these confusing and difficult times! The link is below and on my social media accounts and any donation is hugely appreciated!

Thank you

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ellie-caley4?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=elliecaley4&utm_campaign=pfpshare&utm_term=f322b2bc5bfa47de8e1dfef02e7dbda4&fbclid=IwAR1UaqwurVxlCBrLSV3YC0W8xHQAU26UKmyuQ oxyVHnC1LuncTg9-2hKbO8