Victory!

Sometimes, you have to stop and recognise a victory. ❤️

When I started this journey, I wanted to make a difference for young people who are struggling with their mental health and make sure that nobody is left feeling like they have nowhere to turn.

The closure of PAPYRUS and the loss of its specialist support left me asking some really difficult questions about what happens next for the young people who need that help.

I’ve spoken openly about my own experiences, listened to people who have trusted me with their stories, and tried to do whatever I can to keep this issue in the conversation.

And now, the Government has published an independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, recognising the challenges facing people who need support, including children and young people.

I haven’t claimed to have made this happen, and I won’t. But I can recognise what this moment represents.

The problem is being recognised. And that matters.

For me, this feels like a finish line. Not because every problem has been solved, and not because the work to improve mental health support is over, but because the issue I wanted people to recognise is now receiving attention at Government level.

When I think back to why I started this journey, I keep coming back to the same words:

It takes the bravest person to speak up for the quietest.

I hope that, somewhere, a young person who is struggling will benefit from the conversations happening today. I hope this recognition leads to meaningful action. And I hope that nobody has to experience the feeling of having nowhere to turn.

I’m going to allow myself to recognise this moment as a victory. There is still work to do, but today, I’m choosing to acknowledge the progress.

Thank you to everyone who has listened, shared, signed the petition, offered advice or trusted me with their experiences along the way.

The marathon is still ahead of me. But this chapter of the journey deserves to be recognised.

Sometimes, the victory is getting people to recognise that something needs to change. ❤️