Since taking on his 10 Ironman in 10 days challenge, Danny Quigley has become a champion in Derry for mental health awareness.
After losing his father Colm at a young age, Danny has made it his mission to raise awareness and funds for much-needed mental health services in Derry.
This summer, he will take on his biggest challenge yet, as he aims to swim the River Foyle.
Read more: Student nursing cuts will impact Derry 'worse than elsewhere' with Magee set to lose out
To mark mental health awareness week, Danny spoke to MyDerry about the importance of raising awareness around mental health and what more needs to be done.
He said: "Mental health awareness week for me is a great idea for raising the level of conversation around the subject.
"It could involve bringing back some stray thought we may have and refocusing on self-care and looking after yourself from within you. Activities, programmes and support that help an individual's mental health are heightened and a bigger focus on this can make a huge difference to anyone in a bad place. It means a lot to me.
"The importance of simply reminding you to look after yourself is something that will no doubt help everyone. Mental heath awareness week does that subtly."
Many services within Derry and beyond are facing financial cuts which will impact the most vulnerable in society.
Danny said that while financial cuts are worrying, there are still ways for people to improve their own mental health.
He said: "Financial cuts sure do suck when it comes to the mental health services but my only advice is to get yourself outside into sunlight, look after your hydration levels and try eat substantially healthy within your limits.
"We can point fingers at cuts all day but we can still do things to better ourselves and look after our own mental health for free."
While mental health awareness week raises the platform for services which help people and allow for more of a discussion around mental health, Danny said there is more to be done.
He said: "Nowhere near enough is done to support mental health awareness. I believe it should be something we practise and incorporate into our daily lifestyle.
"I believe the major flaws in support are found near when an individual is close to a crisis point. This is something that should be talked about. I'm sure I share the thoughts of many and speak for a lot when I say that we have a long way to go but are making progress. We can break down the walls of stigma by simply talking our way right through it."
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