Local men unite through mental health with United minds 5200 challenge

A group of local men have spent every day throughout August running a combined 5,200km to raise awareness of men’s mental health and suicide.

£3,245 raised Members of United Minds Hampshire pictured after completing their 5,200km August running challenge, with every kilometre representing a man lost to suicide in the UK. The team ran to raise awareness, encourage honest conversations and remind | United minds Hampshire

placeholder image — £3,245 raised Members of United Minds Hampshire pictured after completing their 5,200km August running challenge, with every kilometre representing a man lost to suicide in the UK. The team ran to raise awareness, encourage honest conversations and remind | United minds Hampshire

The distance represents approximately 5,200 men lost to suicide in the UK, with every kilometre completed representing a life that should not have been lost.

The challenge has pushed the runners physically and mentally. They have battled injuries, tiredness and aching legs, but continued supporting one another and adding to the total until they reached their target.

At the finish at Rustic roots with the cheque for the money raised. | Photo taken by a George Hill

This was never just about running.

It was about remembering the people behind the statistics, raising awareness and encouraging men to speak before things reach breaking point.

One of the organisers said: “Every kilometre represented somebody’s son, dad, brother, partner, friend or mate.

“There were injuries, tired legs and days when people really didn’t feel like running, but everyone kept going because we knew what the distance stood for.

Start of the month Southsea sea front | Photo by Tom Bigwood

“If this challenge encourages one person to check on a mate, start an honest conversation or admit that they are struggling, then it has achieved something far more important than a running target.”

Throughout the challenge, members of the public were encouraged to support the runners, join them for part of the distance and help spread the message that nobody should feel ashamed to talk about their mental health.

Although the 5,200km challenge has finished, the reason behind it has not.

The group is asking people to continue checking in with those around them, to ask twice when somebody says they are fine and, most importantly, to listen without judgement.