Category: Blog

Henry Ives, the founder of online personal training platform H+ Performance, is running a 50km ultra-marathon across Dartmoor in aid of the Charlie Watkins Foundation. Here, Henry explains why he is doing this and how exercise has been a vital part of his life.

I became a personal trainer in 2013 after a bad skiing accident which put me in hospital for 10 days with a ruptured kidney.

This very much changed my outlook on life – it made me realise how we need to not be afraid to do what we want to do.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 halted plans for me to open up my own training studio in London, which meant 2020 was a very stressful year for me.

I turned to exercise and running during the pandemic, especially the lockdowns, as a way of release from the stress and nerves.

I have therefore challenged myself for 2021 to traverse the whole of Dartmoor in an ultra-distance event.

This is to not only test myself against the difficult terrain Dartmoor offers, but to also raise vital funds for a foundation close to my heart, the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

Charlie’s father and mine are cousins and I remember Charlie  fondly growing up with his brother, Harry.

I didn’t know Charlie was struggling with mental health issues to the extent he was when he was at university. I also struggled with depression and anxiety in my last year of university and, like him, I had always found it difficult to talk about it.

Back then I was so reluctant to seek help or talk to anyone because I was afraid about what they might think of me and I felt guilty for “burdening” people.

We need to change this narrative surrounding depression and anxiety, which is why I think the work that the Charlie Watkins Foundation is doing is so important.

My mindset on mental health is so different now from how it used to be and a big part of that is my exercise regime and lifestyle.

For me, exercise makes me feel great, which is why I do it. I’m a big believer that you should be using your body as much you can while you can!

Introducing regular exercise has so many benefits, including improving mental health and overall wellness.

So, why not buy some trainers, set aside some time and start jogging tomorrow? Who knows, maybe you’ll be joining me soon for an ultra-marathon too!

If you would like to support Henry in this challenge and help us to make a difference, please consider making a donation.

The Charlie Watkins Foundation strives to raise funding for vital projects to help young people across the UK who are facing serious mental health challenges. We are currently working with Student Minds on a vital assessment tool for universities and YES on a project supporting 11-16-year-olds.

If you would like to hold an event or fundraiser for the Charlie Watkins Foundation, please do this through our JustGiving page.

We all know the famous saying ‘healthy mind, healthy body’. Many believe it actually originated nearly 2,000 years ago from 1st century AD Roman poet Juvenal, who said ‘mens sana in corpore sano’, roughly translated as ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. While these days we know the importance of eating well and looking after your physical health, how many of us ensure we’re looking after our mental health?

After all, if a 2,000-year-old saying can stand the test of time, it’s about time we ensure we’re keeping a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. That’s why we’ve put together five ways you can keep a healthy mind today and in the future.

1. Talk

We know it is hard to talk sometimes. You may feel ashamed or uneasy in sharing your thoughts and secrets with someone else. Talking can help you feel less alone and it’s a two-way street; you can talk about your feelings together.

Connections with other people is important and even if you cannot see anyone at the moment, a phone or video call can make all the difference.

2. Keep a mood diary

Keeping a diary of your moods helps to track what makes you feel better or worse in your day-to-day life. You can then be proactive and prepare yourself for situations that might make you feel worse.

You can create a diary yourself or make use of apps such as Daylio Journal on your phone.

3. Keep active

As we have mentioned, mental health and physical health go hand in hand, which is why you should also ensure you are keeping active too.

Why not try and take a short walk every day? Or you can work out from home by watching The Body Coach TV on YouTube.

4. Take a break

You should take time out of your day to do something you enjoy. This could be something as simple as taking a bubbly bath or watching your favourite TV programme.

Having a break from the real world and switching off for a bit can help rejuvenate your mind to ensure you are fresh-faced and ready to tackle the rest of the day.

5. Ask for help

If you find yourself struggling, ask for help. This is the hardest point on our list, but it is one of the most vital.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. We are all human who can sometimes get overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings.

Your family and friends could help you with this or you could speak to your GP who can refer you to local services available to you.

Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku once said “the human brain has 100 billion neurons, each connected to 10,000 other neurons. Sitting on your shoulders is the most complicated object in the known universe.” The brain is clever, confusing and most of all, extremely complex. Humanity still has a long way to go in understanding the full extent of the brain, but what do we know about its part in mental health?

There are plenty of disputes between various organisations and individuals about the part the human brain plays in mental health.

After all, the three pound organ in our heads has been compared numerous times to the universe in terms of complexity, with some scientists suggesting the cosmos and its galaxies are just like a giant human brain and its neuronal cells.

With this being the case, how much can we know about the influence the brain has on our mental health?

Racking our brains

What we do know, is that poor mental health has been linked to a variation in certain brain chemicals – namely serotonin, a hormone that stabilises our mood – but no one understands why.

Many of today’s antidepressant medication increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, making them an effective treatment for those with moderate to severe depression.

Researchers have also discovered that natural light can reach and affect the brain’s hypothalamus (a mood-regulating area), causing some people to develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during autumn and winter months where there is less sunlight.

It is thought that the hypothalamus stops working properly in those with SAD because of the lack of sunlight, which in turn can lead to a variation in brain chemicals.

Similarly, there’s evidence to suggest that genes play a big role in whether or not we develop challenges with our mental health; and many of our genes influence the development and function of our brain.

Rethink Mental Illness’ research into inherited mental illnesses suggests that there is a one in 100 chance of someone in the general population developing bipolar compared to a staggering 40 in 100 if both parents have the condition.

A no-brainer

In summary, we still have a lot to learn about the brain, but we cannot deny its impact on mental health.

Whether it’s chemicals imbalances or genes, we are learning every day just how important mental health is and why we need to ensure we are taking care of ourselves mentally.

This is why the Charlie Watkins Foundation strives to raise funding for vital projects to help young people across the UK who are facing serious mental health challenges.

We are funded by your generosity and your kind support is pivotal in allowing us to continue our vital work.  If you would like to help us to continue to make a difference, please consider making a donation.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit hard in early March 2020, students have had to face a myriad of unprecedented challenges.

We know that even in normal times, up to one in three students experience clinical levels of psychological distress during their academic studies. This can lead to negative social outcomes, academic difficulties, and potential dropout.

Sadly, 52% of 4,193 respondents to a survey conducted by the National Union for Students in November said that their mental health had worsened since the start of the pandemic. Similarly, a polling of over 2,000 students by the Office for National Statistics in the same month found that students are more anxious than the general population.

Why is this happening?

There are many factors having a negative impact on student mental health during the pandemic. Many students are experiencing financial difficulties, expounded by the cost of rent for accommodation they are currently unable to return to.

Others do not have access to the digital equipment or working space required to complete their studies from home. Some students will be in unsafe living spaces and others are facing isolation, unable to meet their course mates face-to-face and to partake in the rich variety of extracurricular activities that make up the standard university experience.

Sadly, many students will have experienced bereavement over recent months too.

Certain groups of students have been particularly impacted, with a study by the University of Oxford and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showing that BAME communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Additionally, those who will soon be graduating and those who have graduated in the past year face an uncertain and competitive job market. Meanwhile, those who will be starting university in the few years have experienced significant disruption to their schooling and assessments.

How can we help?

One way we can help is by supporting institutions to ensure that both preventative measures are taken, and that appropriate support is available for all those who need it – this is more important now than ever.

To this end, we are working hard this year to find a way for students’ voices to be heard and for them to be empowered to talk about their struggles and moreover, to play a key role in implementing preventive measures within their institutions. We will have news for you on a new project we will be supporting to enable this to happen in early March.

Like many funding organisations, we look towards an uncertain future over the months and years ahead, as usual funding routes continue to be cut off. Your support would help us to overcome the uncertainties of this time and take our vital aid in this area forwards.

If you’d like to donate to the Charlie Watkins Foundation and help fund our upcoming projects, you can visit our JustGiving page.

Take on a challenge this new year and use your daily exercise to take part in our ‘Paws for thought’ sponsorship challenge. January is #WalkYourDogMonth – so we are challenging you to take time out of your day to explore your local walking areas to see how many steps your furry friends can take while raising much-needed funds for the Charlie Watkins Foundation!

You can take part for just one day, or even get involved every day for the rest of the month to make the most of your one-hour daily exercise. Not only will you be raising money to support those suffering with mental health, but getting outside will also improve your own mental wellbeing.

You can use your own fitness tracker (such as your smart watch, a Fitbit, the Strava app or the iPhone Health app) to count your steps and then double it to track your dog’s progress.

The Charlie Watkins Foundation has been formed to receive funds in memory of Charlie Watkins who at 22-years-old, took his own life in March 2017.

One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. However, it is still a taboo when it comes to talking about it and seeking help.

The crisis in mental health among young adults and the impact of the necessary restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic has seen an exponential growth in mental health issues; in particular, for young people and students across the country.

For those already struggling, COVID-19 has intensified these feelings and for those who have not previously experienced anxiety or depression, it has been a strange and very worrying time.

All this at a time when raising funds presents its own very real challenges and our support is needed more than ever.

Help your dog to become a Charlie Watkins Foundation fundraising hero and make sure you share your photos with us on Twitter and Facebook!

Don’t have a dog? You can still take part and be one of our fundraising heroes! Why not ask family and friends to sponsor your daily walk?

Please donate and share this link with your family and friends on social media and get them to sponsor your four-legged friends!

We’re thrilled to have sent out our most recent e-newsletter with some exciting new collaborations as well as celebrating our fundraising heroes.

Read the winter edition

The crisis in mental health among young adults and the impact of the necessary restrictions to control the virus has seen an exponential growth in mental health issues; in particular, for young people and students across the country. Online tuition combined with missing family and a loss of in-person social interaction has had a huge impact on their mental health and feelings of isolation. For those already struggling, COVID-19 intensified these feelings and for those who had not previously experienced anxiety or depression, it has been a strange and very worrying time. All this at a time when raising funds presents its own very real challenges and our support is needed more than ever.

To help to address the seriousness of the situation of the growing crisis in mental health among young adults, 2021 will see us build on lessons learnt and the success of our first initiative Chat with Charlie, to increase our support nationwide to grow the reach and impact of young adult mental health support services. We are also pleased to be supporting a new initiative for this year – an 18-month project run by the Colchester and Tendring Youth Enquiry Service (YES).

Subscribe to the Charlie Watkins Foundation newsletter

An online mental health support service for students has launched at a university college in Essex on World Mental Health Day (10 October).

Chat with Charlie, an online 1:1 platform which provides confidential support for students, will soon be live at Writtle University College in Chelmsford following its success at the University of Essex.

The service was launched at the University of Essex during Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2018 and was originally trialled for three days a week. However due to popularity and demand, Chat with Charlie extended to seven days a week, with students being able to log in and talk to a counsellor between 6pm and 10pm in the evening.

Chat with Charlie is funded by the Charlie Watkins Foundation, which was set up by Harry Watkins in memory of his twin brother, Essex-born Charlie Watkins. Charlie took his own life in March 2017 at the age of 22.

The service is delivered by Mid and North East Essex Mind at its Colchester office.

On the expansion, Harry Watkins said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see Chat with Charlie expand to Writtle University College. “Helping just one student would have made it all worth it – but to hear it’s helped many more is a phenomenal achievement. “We’re in conversation with other establishments across the UK about expanding even further. We’re so proud of this legacy we have created for Charlie.”

Professor Tim Middleton, Vice-Chancellor at Writtle University College said: “Chat with Charlie has been an excellent addition to the services we already have to support students. “We believe it’s a service that can benefit many universities and colleges and we’re incredibly proud to be the second establishment to take it forward.”

Chief Executive of Mid and North East Essex Mind, James McQuiggan, said: “We’re thrilled that Chat with Charlie has been such a success and we are immensely proud to be a part of the team behind it. “Being away from home for the first time can be particularly daunting for students and we hope this platform can provide some comfort while they are doing their studies. “We are pleased to bring this service to the students of Writtle University and hope to extend the service further in future.”

Donations to support the Chat with Charlie initiative can be made through Essex Community Foundation (ECF) which manages the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

Jo Macaulay, Head of Communications at ECF said: “We are pleased to work with the Watkins Family and in Charlie’s memory, help young people at a time when they may need extra support.”

Given last year’s huge success, Alesco DA it will be hosting a charity football tournament again this year. The tournament will take place on Thursday, 17th October and everyone is encouraged to join in helping to beat last year’s total of £20,500.

Where: Powerleague Shoreditch – Braithwaite Street (Opposite Shoreditch Station), London, E1 6GJ

Date: Thursday 17th October 2019

Time: 12pm – 6pm

Dress code: Casual This year, teams will battle it out against each other on the football pitch to raise funds for the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

Come along to watch the teams fight it out for a place in the final while enjoying the bar and BBQ, which will be open from 1pm – late.

There is a 50p donation from every drink and BBQ you buy going towards the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

You could also be in with a chance of winning some great prizes if you enter the raffle, so make sure you bring some change! Register your attendance

Football teams Register to sign up your team Teams will need to pay an entry fee of £60 + VAT.

Alesco DA also request that each team donate a minimum of £300 payable along with the entry fee. Alesco DA will send you an invoice for both the entry fee and the charitable donation. For more information, please contact Chelsea Morrison

There are many misunderstandings surrounding mental health, exacerbated by the very fact that mental health is invisible.

This can be especially difficult for those who suffer with mental health but are otherwise high functioning.

What do you mean by high-functioning mental health?

Most people would associate someone with mental health to be noticeably quiet and low or struggle to get out of bed and leave the house.

This can be true in many cases. However, a lot of people suffer with a mental health problem but can still get on with their day-to-day lives.

Being high-functioning means individuals will still go to work, socialise and otherwise function just like anyone who doesn’t struggle with their mental health.

This can lead to a number of issues including a misdiagnosis in mental illness and the notion that because someone is ‘fine’ on the outside, they must be ‘fine’ on the inside.

One notable individual who suffered with mental health but otherwise seemed ‘fine’ was Robin Williams, who took his life in 2014 aged 63. Williams was most well-known for his comical appearances in box-office hits such as Aladdin and Mrs Doubtfire.

Since his death, there have been many references to Williams being a ‘sad clown’ – he even said himself: “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anybody else to feel like that.’

Williams was known for his comedy and for making people laugh – yet he also suffered from severe depression as well as drug and alcohol addiction.

How can we help our friends who might have mental health problems but are high functioning?

The key thing to remember if you have any friends who have high-functioning mental health is that you should never disregard how they feel.

They may be acting and functioning ‘normally’, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering.

We’d recommend checking in with your friend regularly. The Ask Twice campaign from Time to Change rings true for so many people. We are all guilty of saying we’re ‘fine’ when we’re not.

If they don’t want to open up to you or aren’t ready to talk yet, simply being there for your friend can make the world of difference. Invite them for coffee or go see a film together. You can take a look at our random acts of kindness blog for other ideas.

If you’re worried about a friend, you can seek advice on Mind who offer a vast range of information on how to help someone who struggles with their mental health.

Are you at school or university? Have you already finished for the summer?

Endless opportunities can await you when you have all this time off before term starts again in September.

We know some people use school or university as a distraction to help them deal with their mental health struggles, so having all this free time can be hard.

We’ve come up with a list of five fun activities that might be able to help get you through the summer period.

1. Have a picnic

With it being summer, the weather is mostly likely going to be fabulous! Why not take this opportunity to gather some friends and go down to your local park for a picnic? The UK is full of beautiful parks with wonderful scenery, so go out and appreciate them! Find your nearest park which has a green flag.

2. Spend a day by the beach

It isn’t really a summer holiday if you’re not at the beach! Take some time to spend a day by the sea. The fresh air will do wonders and, if you’re feeling really daring, you can even take a dip! Find your nearest beach with a blue flag status.

3. Have a games day

We do need to acknowledge that this is Britain, and the weather can be temperamental. If you have a day where it’s raining, you can always invite your friends around to play boardgames. According to a recent poll, the UK’s favourite board game is Monopoly followed by Trivial Pursuit. What’s yours?

4. Have a movie day

For any hay fever-sufferers out there, being outside might not be wise. If this is the case, you can host a movie day with your friends. Crack open the popcorn and get Netflix on. Films hitting the big screen this summer include The Lion King, Toy Story 4, Yesterday and Spiderman. If you’re one for a box-set, the latest series of Stranger Things has just landed on Netflix, or, you can’t beat a bit of Killing Eve.

5. Take time to just ‘be’

You should also take this time to just ‘be’ and focus on yourself. There will be days when you won’t want to see anybody – and that’s perfectly fine. Take some time to do something you want to do, no matter what it is, and enjoy it.

It’s not shameful to be worried about having free time and we understand that sometimes it can be overwhelming not having a distraction.

If you’re at the University of Essex, you can still log in to Chat with Charlie every evening from 6pm to talk to a trained professional.

You can also call the Samaritans on 116 123 if you need further advice.