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My Story - the Jolly Jogger

To support Time to Talk Day on Thursday 1st February, England Athletics are encouraging people to #RunAndTalk to improve their mental wellbeing through running and to break down the stigma associated with mental health by getting people talking.

This is Sujan's story:

After experiencing anxiety and panic attacks Sujan joined a 12-week beginner running course with RunTogether group Jolly Joggers as part of Mind’s Get Set to Go programme. The group is for people who have mental health problems along with those looking to improve their mental wellbeing through running. Following an adapted version of the couch to 5k model, the sessions are led by volunteer Run Leaders with their own personal experience of mental health problems.

Sujan said: “I was very nervous at first because I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety attacks, so the idea of going to a new group was a bit scary. It was hard at first to get the motivation to go but once you’re there it’s brilliant because everyone is in the same boat as you. When I don’t go jogging I feel quite down and lethargic, so it’s become an important part of my routine now that I go for a jog at least once a week. Jolly Joggers is great because it motivates you to keep going jogging, even in winter. It’s helped with my panic and anxiety attacks and I feel much better and more confident in myself. I can go jogging on my own now, which I never used to do before. I’ve made new friends which I keep in touch with and we go jogging together.”

She now runs every week and says she is feeling the health benefits on the inside as well as the outside. Being part of a group has given her social benefits making new friends but also having the motivation of meeting up with a group each week especially over winter. ‘’I feel alive a bit more with the fresh air, I feel more confident, I can go jogging on my own which I never could before.’’

Her advice to people thinking about joining a running group, "You just have to have that courage to go for it and once you’re there you’ll be amazed and have a great time. Once you’ve done it you won’t want to stop!"

For more information about the Get Set to Go programme and the impact it had visit www.mind.org.uk/GSTGResults

Here's a video of Sujan's story:

#RunAndTalk

To support Time to Talk Day on Thursday 1st February England Athletics are encouraging people to #RunAndTalk to improve their mental wellbeing through running and to break down the stigma associated with mental health by getting people talking about it.

During the week of 27th January to 2nd February 2018 we’re encouraging people to run one mile or further and to have a chat with friends, family, colleagues or other runners. This can be done at a time and location of their choice or by joining one of the organised runs at an England Athletics club or RunTogether group.

Who to contact if you need urgent support

A crisis is any situation in which you feel you need urgent help. For example, you might feel in crisis if you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings, you are having thoughts about harming yourself or someone else, or you have seriously hurt yourself. The information below might help you in a crisis.

Samaritans: Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen to anything that is upsetting you, including intrusive thoughts and difficult thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Their national number is 08457 90 90 90, their freephone number is 116 123, or you can email jo@samaritans.org.

Mind: Mind is a national organisation which provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

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