An Edinburgh University graduate is attempting to run 10k every day throughout the month of November to raise money for Movember and awareness for male mental health.
Elliot Grant-Conlin, 25, who works as a parliamentary assistant, has spoken of his own battles with depression that he encountered as he entered his twenties while studying at Heriot-Watt and later Edinburgh University.
The economics and law graduate said that he was diagnosed with depression a couple of years ago and struggled to come to terms with his university life coming to an end. But the denial around his mental health set in during what he described to be a relatively desirable life on paper as a student.
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Elliot was the president of his uni’s rugby club, had a loving girlfriend and described himself as really outgoing. But one Thursday morning he was sitting in his room and had a complete breakdown where he could not pick himself up off the floor or stop the tears from streaming down his face.
After a call with his father, he decided to fly to London the same day and on the following Friday he met with a GP and began to get the help that he needed.
“I never considered myself to be someone who would be depressed or anxious. I had a great life at university but under the surface I felt overwhelmed as though I was doing something wrong.
“It took for the Covid period where I was studying remotely and felt a bit isolated for me to come to terms with my mental health. If it was not for Covid then I would have definitely spent longer trying to grasp what I was battling.
“After having a breakdown during a stressful period I went back to my parents and spoke with a GP. I underwent therapy and tried medication but ultimately it was exercise that allowed me to deal with the depression.
“I think for men it can be really common for it to appear as though everything is fine on the outside but on the inside there is a struggle. When I was at uni everything seemed rosey.
“When I first started speaking openly about my own mental health issues and going through therapy on social media I began to receive messages from lads I’d played rugby with. They weren’t necessarily people I was close with but they would say that they were feeling the exact same way.
“It shows how many people there are out there who feel underwhelmed and unhappy in their lives but dont have the confidence to speak out about it. Speaking to my GP and opening up felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders.”
Elliot had always tried to raise money for Movember throughout his time as a student by running. He says that two years ago, after opening up about his mental health, he met a lot of people whilst out running who he discussed depression with for the first time.
This inspired him to take on this year’s task of running 10k everyday throughout the month of November. The task has not been all plain sailing though as the young professional admits that he is sick of the sight of the Meadows in the dark.
“I’ve found that physical challenges are a great way of coping with mental health and for raising awareness about various conditions”, he added.
“This led to me wanting to complete 10K a day as a way to not only fundraise but to get out and speak to people. There are so many people out there struggling and I want to let them know they are not alone.
“The aim is to raise awareness that it is ok to not be ok. There are 60 men that die from suicide every hour around the world.
“I’m growing a rather terrible tash as well as doing the running. I want men to know that they can reach out to people that they trust and have that conversation.
“It is not always about going out and getting therapy straight away but to have conversations and feel confident with checking in with others. Chats with friends are initially very important as there can be long waiting lists for things like CBT or medical appointments.”
It has been a long slog for Elliot but he says that his body is holding up, with only some numbness in his feet and pain in his knees being a bit tricky. He will be completing the task on November 30 with his friends and running club with the group sitting down for a pint afterwards.
He has invited anyone who would like to come along to join them. You can find out more and donate to Eliott’s Movember fundraiser by clicking here.
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