Hi, my name is Amelia and I am 16 years old.
I have decided to challenge myself to a 600 mile charity bike ride to raise funds for Children’s mental health. I hope this challenge makes people aware of the struggles children and Young adults face everyday. Children don’t talk openly as there is very little support or because of the stigma around speaking about their feelings.
In all honesty, I feel embarrassed to talk too; I also suffer with mental health but I’ve realised mental health needs to be spoken about. I began to struggle at the age of 6 due to bereavement, problems in school which brought on self confidence issues.
I was given medication to help cope with the physical and mental effects of my daily struggles.
I have spoken to many different professionals over the years and at preset have an in-school mentor. I have had support from my GP who referred me to CAHMS. Unfortunately, I was turned away as I wasn’t “ill enough” to receive their help (e.g self-harming). Although, I was ill enough to be diagnosed with depression in 2019 which was the same time I was turned away. Essentially, it was because I didn’t have the urge to physically harm myself.
The support I’ve received over the years hasn’t come easy but, what I did receive was also taken away quickly. The main reason for this was not enough funding. I know many young people around me who suffer with mental health. The realisation of this made me think that funding MUST be found. Why should a child have to physically harm themselves to get the support they desperately need.
I still have an In-school mentor, I’m not ashamed to say this.
For me, talking to someone who doesn’t know me helps me so much. I am so greatful for the support.
With the support of BIG BEAR BIKES of Pickering and Dalby I will be raising much needed funds. I am doing 600 miles in 50 days, on trails and urban streets.
MTB is my place to escape and focus on me.
We need to start talking and supporting each other.
Thank you x
