A CHESTER gym owner is well on his way to a 3,570km challenge aimed at raising awareness of men's mental health.
Craig Brown, founder and CEO of the Rage Fitness Company in Blacon, has begun his Mission 84 cycling bid which sees him pedal one kilometre longer than the previous day, up to 84km on the final day on Christmas Day.
Craig said the reason behind Mission 84 was to highlight men's mental health, particularly as Christmas approaches.
Sadly, 84 men a week take their own lives in the UK.
Craig said: "If you go to any other gym, you get a specific plan on your physical health, what you're looking to improve. We have it with physical and mental health conditions, and looking to improve both with the conversations we have.
"Speaking with the professional health teams, we have the support and education.
"We have seen people coming into the gym asking for me specifically, saying they need help, having had suicidal thoughts.
"I hope this shines a light on a real issue in modern society and want to support all men of all backgrounds.
"I hope this [Mission 84] inspires us to look out for one another and to have the confidence and courage to speak to our wives, girlfriends, husbands, parents, friends, counsellors and say at the time it is needed most, ‘I need help’.”
Craig added the ongoing coronavirus pandemic had posed "a real challenge to people's mental health" as people deal with isolation, plus potential financial problems as a result of the subsequent UK recession.
Chester FC Community Trust has pledged its support for the Mission 84 campaign.
Craig is asking Chester FC supporters to help by sharing social media posts, photographs and videos of his challenges to raise awareness of the issue.
Jim Green, Chester FC Community Trust CEO, said: “Sadly many of us will have experienced the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide and removing the stigma around depression, mental health and suicidal thoughts through raising awareness is so important.
“We will be supporting Craig through his campaign and encourage all Chester FC supporters to do the same and play a small part in helping to save lives.”
- For updates, follow @RageFitnessComp on Twitter, search ‘Rage Fitness Company’ on Facebook or visit www.ragefitnesscompany.com, where you can follow Mission 84 updates on the blog.
- Support and more information can be accessed through the following links:
www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/middle-aged-men-suicide
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