A man who is embarking on a coastal walk of Britain in aid of mental health charity Mind helped save a woman's life when he discovered her in crisis.
James Lloyd, 29, from north Wales was walking the coast of Great Britain for Mind when he came across a woman standing at the top of a cliff. James, who has previously experienced suicidal thoughts was worried the woman was in the same situation he found himself in a few years ago.
He said: "Once I realised something was wrong, I walked over and asked if she was okay. She said she needed to jump. The conversation we had is a blur now, but I did tell her I knew how it felt to feel suicidal. Thankfully she came away from the edge. Then the Chaplaincy spotted us and called the emergency services to get her help."
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James said he thought about the woman for weeks after it happened and admitted he found it difficult to process but he is so glad that he was there at the right time.
James had struggled with suicidal thoughts three years before and the pandemic and a failed relationship worsened feelings of shame and worthlessness. He said: "It was on Christmas Eve three years ago my mental health got to a point where I was having suicidal thoughts. That was the point that I reached out for help.
"I think it had got so bad because I didn't talk about it. I knew I had to speak to someone, so I talked to my brother, a friend and a counsellor. I also accessed Mind's resources which were invaluable in helping me understand my mental health better, and that I wasn't alone in it. That's why I wanted to raise money for Mind, to provide support to people before they reach a state of crisis, or before it's too late."
James is over 2500 miles into his 6000 mile walk around the coast of Great Britain, having started from his home near Caernarfon on 3rd October last year. After completing the south coast, he is now heading north up the east coast towards Scotland. He hopes to finish in October this year.
James hasn't planned where he stops each day and often doesn't know where he will end up staying. He said his feet hurt but so far his body is coping. Along the way he has met many walkers who he has shared his story with. He said: "So many people can resonate with why I am doing this."
So far James has raised an incredible £7.5k, edging him closer to his £10k target. He added: “When I look back on the time that I felt suicidal it feels as though I’m looking back at a different person. I’ve come so far, and I hope my fundraiser will go some way to raise awareness of the services Mind has to offer, contribute to its provision and help others to feel less alone.”
You can make a donation to James' fundraiser for Mind, here.
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