Laps For Life came across my timeline at the most impactful time. To me - this issue is very close to my heart. I have my own lived experience of mental health challenges and distress and now work as a peer worker in youth mental health. Peer work is all about one person with a lived experience of mental health challenges connecting with another to inspire hope, change and understanding and making meaning of our experiences. 

In my role, I recently lost a young person I was supporting to suicide. It was a brutal and unforgiving reminder of why the work we do is so SO important and life changing. Being honest, it left me questioning my purpose in the lived experience space. But then I have to remind myself, I know I made an impact on that young person’s life. I know I did. And although they are no longer with us, their life was not in vain. 

So, I dedicate my Laps for Life journey to Emily - that’s what I’ll call them. Your life is not in vain, and I am raising funds in your honour to support the next generation of those of us with lived experience of distress. You have made an impact on my heart. 

- Megan 

(Name of young person changed for confidentiality)