IF you have a broken leg or something people can see it’s much easier for others to understand and empathise.
Unfortunately, mental health doesn’t always fall into this category because it’s hidden, even though one in four people in the UK will experience mental illness some time.
Possible stigma stops people talking about it. So, it was good to see Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton opening up about suffering from depression.
She has won two Olympic golds, competed in Strictly Come Dancing and ridden at the Cheltenham Festival but nothing proved a bigger challenge than battling depression.
This was sparked by failing in her attempt to climb Everest and came on top of dealing with her marriage break-up. “It was horrible,” she said. “The worst feeling. I’d happily take two broken legs over that any day.”
Her revelations are not only very brave but helpful to anyone seeing the enviable lifestyle and achievements. No-one escapes the possibility of mental health problems and this just makes Victoria an even better role model.
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