Mental health support for young people

I am riding 55 miles from London to Brighton to personally raise £2,000 to fund counselling for young people in Gravesham who are struggling with their mental health.

 

1 in 6 young people are now thought to have a mental health disorder, yet 75% of them are unable to access vital support. That’s why we need to take action now.

 

While it is virtually impossible to address the national mental health crisis, we can make an impact closer to home. However, early intervention is crucial – based on national statistics, there are just over 1,000 young people in Gravesham currently struggling to get much-needed help.

 

The Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund has been set up to raise money to fund mental health counselling for young people in our community, using local BACP therapists.

 

Elliott Holmes was a popular teenager from Gravesham who took his own life in June 2020 after a long struggle trying to access NHS mental health services - in 8 years, he never received so much as an hour’s counselling. The fund is named after him as a permanent reminder of the ultimate price we pay when help isn’t received.

 

Ten counselling sessions at a cost of £50 per session could significantly improve a young person’s life. That’s why, along with a team of 17 other cyclists, I’m cycling from London to Brighton on 11 September, and together we are hoping to raise enough money to help twenty young people. My personal sponsorship target is £2,000.

 

If you would like to know more about the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund and how the local community is uniting in support of our youngsters, please visit: www.ehmf.org.uk

 

Thank you so much for your support.