Mental Health Mates

“A safe space for you to walk and talk about your problems without fear of judgment.”

We love Bryony Gordon - let’s just get that out of the way now. We listened to her podcast Mad World (including the Harry one), followed her in awe as she ran the London Marathon (twice - once in her underwear), and hugely appreciated her openness in the books Mad Girl, The Wrong Knickers and Eat, Drink, Run.

But we’re not here to tell you about our love for Byrony. Nope, we’re here to tell you about Mental Health Mates, the organization that she started as “a sort of walking/running group for the people for whom it is perfectly normal to feel weird”. Right from its start in London a few years ago people have consistently shown up, with outings now throughout the UK and even abroad (walks have taken place in Melbourne, San Francisco, New York and Dubai). 

Mental Health Mates hosted walks are led by local people who have their own mental health issues, rather than therapists or medics. “It's all peer support, without the pressure and draining feeling that can come from group therapy,” says Polly Allen of the organization. In fact, people can bring their dogs, or their kids, family, friends and colleagues. Rest assured, Polly tells me “there's no pressure to talk about mental health unless you want to. You can just talk about TV or politics if you want.” And as it’s hosted and run by local people, it can feel more like a community get-together: “it’s designed to build links with the community and helps you meet like-minded people who live nearby—people you could pass on the street and not realise they were suffering just like you, with anxiety or OCD or depression.” 

Though most walks end up about 60-70% female, Mental Health Mates has hosted a special walk aimed at men, as well as special events for the LGBT community and for mums. In the future, it is hoping to organise a special event for carers. The walks are designed to be easy and accessible to everyone who needs them, and they are best of all free. Thank you Bryony! We love you even more!

To find out more: mentalhealthmates.co.uk/ Twitter @findyourwe / Instagram @mentalhealthmates / and Facebook (type 'mental health mates')