12 Days of Blogmas: Day Nine - The Caledonian Way and SAMH

This blog contains content regarding suicide. Thank you.

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a talk given by two of my friends, Murray Charters and Denis Robson. They shared stories from their recent 234-mile cycle across Scotland's stunning West Highland scenery and challenging climbs, known as The Caledonian Way. Luckily, they picked a week in September which had exceptional weather conditions - even better than most summer days and with no midges! Their journey was filled with fun and laughter, and they joked about Denis spending five days staring at Murray's backside and Murray teasing Denis about his obsession with photographing sheep. Along the way, they indulged in delicious food and drinks, which contributed to a truly memorable experience. Overall, their presentation was an excellent way to top off this adventure and I take my hat off to the two grandpas for their achievement.

Murray and Denis embarked on this personal challenge to support Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), an organisation dedicated to raising awareness and funds for mental health issues in Scotland. However, the ride was also a tribute to Murray's 32-year-old son, Jamie, who tragically took his own life three years ago. It's difficult for those of us who have never experienced such a loss to truly grasp the pain that Murray, Tricia, Katie and their loved ones must be feeling to this day. Unfortunately, Scotland's suicide rates are still too high, and the 100 year old charity's work is more important than ever. During the presentation, Catriona Wilson from SAMH shared an overview of their efforts to assist those with mental health issues including some innovative projects. I have linked to their website below so you can find out about more of the work they do. This blog is intended to raise awareness of the charity's work and, in particular, to increase its visibility here in rural Scotland. While Christmas is a time of celebration, it's important to acknowledge that many individuals experience greater loneliness and isolation during these weeks. We should not ignore this issue while focusing on the festivities. Despite the fact that there is still much work to be done, Murray and Denis' accomplishments and their support for SAMH should be recognised and celebrated. Congratulations to both of them, and I wish them the best for their next challenge.

Find out more about SAMH by logging on their website samh.org.uk

SAMH guide to understanding Mental Health

And finally, The Samaritans Scotland who can be called 24/7, 365