Bailey's Marathon for Mental Health

March 30 is World Bipolar Day. A day to bring awareness to a lifelong and currently considered incurable mental health condition that I was diagnosed with at the beginning of 2022. 2021 included an eight-month-long extremely debilitating major depressive episode, multiple admissions to hospital, attempts at taking my own life, two weeks in a coma, three broken ribs, a broken ankle, a broken neck, a broken pelvis and a stage 3 brain injury - one very traumatic journey! I am not saying this to try to draw pity from you, but just to explain how severe this condition can become. This depressive state has recently turned into what is called a ‘manic’ state that has me feeling high on life at a very uncontrollable and unsustainable level, but also allows me the motivation and energy to actively learn how to manage and control this condition. I have proudly and happily survived my recent ordeals and am working hard on my recovery, which comes with a passion for raising money and awareness for the foundation Bipolar Australia in an effort to provide more of those living with bipolar disorder the help they and their families need to live a healthy and happy life.

Running a marathon has always been a dream of mine, and also something that I have kept pushing back in the past couple of years of my running journey. So on March 30, 2022, I will be running my first marathon to raise money for Bipolar Australia (postponed due to injury). It would mean the world to me, and many others, if you would please share this fundraiser and donate, even as much as $1 to help support this cause, as every dollar counts and will contribute towards saving a life such as my own. It would also be an incredible support if you could be there at the finish line to encourage me to reach the marathon distance.

I am beyond grateful to have had RunDNA donate four $50 vouchers and one voucher for a pair of shoes to the value of $280 RRP to be given out on the day to people selected at random from those who donate to this fundraiser. The vouchers can be used in-store at RunDNA Hindmarsh or RunDN Fullarton. I thank them for their continued support in my running journey and for always providing a friendly and helpful service to cater for all my running gear needs.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions about the event and I will hopefully see you there or feel your support leading up to it!!

The two years since sharing this fundraiser have seen a whirlwind of unexpected life circumstances, several serious injuries preventing me from running, and a whole lot of learning about bipolar disorders and what living with Bipolar 1 disorder post-diagnosis is like. Whilst all the current donations received have been sent to Bipolar Australia, I have a newfound area of fundraising for which any future donations will be sent as I reignite this fundraiser in preparation for running a marathon at the Adelaide Marathon Festival on August 25, 2024.

The current body of knowledge surrounding the treatment for bipolar disorder highlights the need for a combination of medication, psychotherapy and behavioural intervention. In 2024 I have found a passion for research that has led to my interest and desire for more research to be undertaken in the field of mental health, particularly in finding a more suitable and effective treatment method for bipolar disorder. Black Dog Institute are at the forefront of mental health research in Australia and receiving donations helps to support their efforts in conducting more research and enabling more people to experience better mental health.

The past two years of running, as previously mentioned, have been riddled with injuries that constantly halted my running programs. When juggling this with a university and work schedule, a marathon training routine certainly became a challenge! I am very thankful to have had the coaching at RunAsOne to help get my training back on track and set me up with a program to get me to the marathon strong and injury-free. Along with all of their personal support, RunAsOne have also been very generous to donate one $50 voucher for The RunHôuse to be given out on the day to someone selected at random from those who donate to this fundraiser. This voucher can be used in-store at The RunHôuse, Norwood.

Following the next five months of training, including races in McLaren Vale, Barossa and Gold Coast, on August 25 I will run at the Adelaide Marathon Festival with a goal of running the full marathon in under 3 hours.

Mental health research needs to be advocated for. Recovery is not a linear process, but for those living with a mental illness I believe that it is possible to live life symptom free. I hope this fundraiser can play a part in breaking the stigmas and extending the current knowledge around the treatment for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

If you want to read more about Bipolar disorder and my journey from diagnosis to marathon you can read this Blog followed by my Full Interview.

To those who have donated or supported this fundraiser through reading and sharing my story to help meet my goal of raising $5000, I cannot thank you enough. Although this does not mean that donations have to end here. To those reading this for the first time and have been moved in any way, shape or form, I would greatly appreciate your continued support. Bipolar Australia and Black Dog Institute rely solely on philanthropy, grants and donations to continue to provide support towards providing a brighter future for those living with bipolar disorders and other mental illnesses. There is no limit to the amount of funding that can be provided to support these efforts.

I thank you in advance for any future donations and for sharing this to spread awareness around bipolar disorders and mental health.