Just Keep Swimming - 23.6k of ocean swimming for mental health

Living with mental illness can feel a lot like struggling to keep your head above water.

It's all you can do to "just keep swimming" - so I’m going to attempt all 7 Ocean Swims this summer to raise money for the Key to Life Charitable Trust.

12 Dec - Swim The Shore (3.8k, Takapuna)

31 Jan - Interislander (3.3k, Wellington)

20 Feb - Le Grande (5k, Christchurch)

27 Feb - Bean Rock (3.2k, Mission Bay)

20 Mar - Legend of the Lake (3.5k, Rotorua)

3 Apr - The Mount Swim (2.8k, Tauranga)

17 April - Swim the Bridge (2k, Auckland)

We've all heard about how mental illness - and particularly suicide - obliterates families and communities. Some of us are unfortunate enough to have seen it close up. But in my experience, the process works in reverse too. Each person growing into wellness, whatever that looks like for them, passes that fullness of being on to those around them.

I'm proud to be in my chosen profession (psychotherapy), and profoundly grateful. But I'm also just one cog in a system that could be - needs to be - so much better. Charities like Key to Life are doing what they can to bridge the gap, and that matters.

Key to Life's annual appeal, Gumboot Friday, will happen just before I finish the final swim. The money collected directly funds counselling sessions for Kiwi youth, meaning people in need can see a therapist without having to cover the cost of private treatment.

I'm still here today because I was able to access help as a young person.

Not everyone gets that chance, but everyone should.

Anything at all you can spare is deeply, sincerely appreciated.