Content warning: This story discusses suicide and other mental health issues, which some people might find upsetting.
Sunday 10 September was World Suicide Prevention Day, which aims to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness.
To commemorate the day, we spoke to gas engineer Sam Adams-Llewellyn about his mental health experiences and how he’s been raising money for a suicide prevention charity.
My name is Sam and my mental health struggles started some time ago. I suffer with anxiety, depression/suicidal thoughts. In the last year or so, I’ve lost a number of people close to me and their mental health played a major part in the loss of these people.
Their names are Shannon Alleyne, Natasha Alleyne, Gemma White and recently my friend’s little brother Toby Barrowcliff. I say their names loud and proud.
The passing of these people left me devastated and really impacted my mental health. As a coping mechanism, I've found that going on walks really benefits me. It allows me to clear my thoughts and to be at one with nature. It enables me to organise my thoughts. For me, nature has a calming effect and keeps me grounded.
Having had (and still do from time to time) poor mental health myself, the passing of my friends really impacted me, as how they were feeling really resonated with me. I know all too well the anguish, the despair, the distraught they felt.
As an everlasting tribute to them, I decided to organise a 40 mile, three-day charity walk from Canterbury to Maidstone, in aid of the Mental Health Foundation. Not only was this walk a tribute to my friends, and to raise awareness, it also served as a means to let my friends and family who are suffering know that they’re not alone. And I wasn’t alone either – I was joined by my friends John Wood and Denver Kennedy.
Day one
We started out in Canterbury on Sunday 20 August 2023. We set out with our bags in tow – believe me when I say they were heavy! We had very little training or preparation but that didn’t deter us.
As we walked along the Stour into Chartham, we picked up the North Downs Way Trail. This took us through vast countryside and many beauty spots. The sun was blistering, and the challenge was well under way. We proceeded through Chilham, where we stopped at a quaint village pub for a refreshment. As we carried on along the walk, we set ourselves little miles for rest periods and took in the moments of nature when we could.
We settled down on our first night just outside of Challock, having slogged a good 15 miles over varying terrain. Feeling accomplished for the day, we set up camp and cooked dinner, rounding off the evening by lighting a candle in honour of my friends, and looking upon the beauty of the sky to stargaze.
Day two
After packing up camp, we proceeded along the North Downs Way Trail towards Maidstone. The weather was still blistering but we found our pace, venturing across country for 16 miles, stopping in Charing for a spot of lunch.
Although we had blistered feet and aching calves, our spirits were good. We were determined. When the physical and mental struggles began to surface, we reminded ourselves why we were doing this walk.
We finally reached Lenham, where we settled down for the night. We sat outside a lovely little chip shop and ate dinner, reflecting on the two days’ walk we had just endured. After another evening of stargazing around our campfire, we settled down for the evening knowing we had around nine miles left – but we knew those nine miles would be the hardest nine miles we would ever walk.
The final stretch
Our final day saw us rise with the bittersweet knowledge that we’d finally complete our challenge. Until you have spent a few days in a situation where you rely on each other 100% for support, you don't realise how good friends you are. Friendship soon turned into real brotherhood.
We complimented each other throughout, encouraged each other and supported each other along every step. By no stretch of the imagination was our final day easy, it was the most gruelling nine miles we had ever walked.
As Moat Park drew nearer, it seemed to feel further and further away. We eventually arrived on Tuesday 22nd August 2023, completely spent of energy but feeling we had accomplished what we set out to do. There was no more fuel in the engine, but this felt especially satisfying as we had given every fibre of our being to complete this walk.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and hope the money raised will make a difference in supporting the people who need it most.
