Jessica Tawse

This March I’m participating in Laps for Life to support mental health and suicide prevention. Mental health challenges affect so many people, yet they’re still often met with silence or stigma. No one should have to struggle alone. Access to support, early intervention, and open conversations can genuinely save lives. This cause matters deeply to me. I’ve experienced firsthand how important it is to have support systems, resources, and people willing to “hold hope” when someone can’t hold it themselves. I know all too well what it feels like to lose all hope but I want other young people who are in the same position as I was to be able to realise that whilst they are still breathing, there is always hope for change and to feel differently. Over the past year I’ve also been navigating chronic illness, which means I’ll be setting a lap goal that’s realistic and safe for my body. Showing up sustainably is important and supporting mental health is always worth showing up for. If you’d like to donate, share, or simply help spread awareness, it would mean a lot. Every conversation and every contribution helps break stigma and make support more accessible.