A Royston woman whose brother committed suicide last year is getting set to raise money for a mental health charity to help ‘remove the stigma’ of depression.
Nicole Mednick, 24, along with friend Paris Janes, also 24, will be running the Bupa London 10,000 at the end of the month in memory of her brother Josh who died in May last year when he was just 25.
Nicole, who is studying health and social care at university, said: “It was really hard for the family when it happened, he’s left a place in our hearts that’s never going to be healed.
“When it happened, it was brought to light that there is a lack of help for people who suffer depression.
“There’s a stigma attached to mental health and we want to get people to speak about how they are feeling.
“People don’t want to talk about it and tell you their problems. I thought Josh was a happy boy.”
Nicole and Paris will be raising money for Mind, the charity which provides advice and support for people experiencing mental health problems.
She said: “We’ve been out training. A 10k is quite far for me and my friend, as we’ve never done anything like it before.”
Josh was a popular amateur boxer, he’d previously worked at a care home and also did some labouring work after some time spent travelling.
Josh’s mum Debra said: “I am very proud of my daughter Nicole and her friend Paris for raising money for the charity Mind, which is something close to my heart.
“This year has been so hard for myself, Nicole and his little brother Harvey.
“There is such a stigma with the word suicide and Mind is a great charity that helps those with mental health issues, especially young people.
“Suicide is the leading cause of death for young men and anything that helps to reduce this is a step forward which is why Nicole and Paris are doing the run to try and make a difference, no matter how small.”
To help Nicole and Paris raise more money, click here.
To find out more about the work Mind do to support people with mental health problems, visit the website at www.mind.org.uk.
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