Invergordon man Darren Miller who walked the West Highland Way for Mikeysline suicide prevention and mental health charity urges people in need to speak out
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An Invergordon man who helped himself at the same time as aiding a charity close to his heart, has called on anyone feeling down not to be afraid to talk about it.
Darren Miller (31) strapped on his walking boots as a way of dealing with the stress of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.
He recently completed the West Highland Way in aid of Highland mental health charity Mikeysline.
The former Park Primary and Invergordon Academy pupil works in marketing and is now based in Glasgow but said the idea of helping a charity closer to home was always on the cards.
“My uncle is an ambassador for Mikeysline, and we had planned originally to do the West Highland Way together, but in the end he was unable to do it, and I decided that I would do it myself,” he said.
“I think it is fair to say that the pandemic has had a toll on everyone, and for many there was a real difficulty in having to be alone, isolated and having no one to turn to, to talk with.
“Mikeysline is there for anyone at any time and it does an incredible job.”
Talking about his own struggles, he said: “During the lockdown, and with being alone, all the things that you put to the back of your mind came to the forefront.
“For me, family members passed away – some many years ago – and I had never dealt with it.
“During lockdown I was left by myself for the first time probably in my adult life and these painful things started coming to the surface. I started drinking far too much.
“I realised that I could not go on like that. I needed to deal with it.
“I was able to talk to family, friends and other people about it, and that really helped me. I was able to get the support I needed.
“But even for me, with family who know about the need to talk, it took me courage to speak about it.
“I am glad I did. I wanted to be able to get that help to other people who needed it – so I decided to walk the West Highland Way for Mikeysline.”
It was having that charity effort in mind that kept him going even when the going got tough on the walk.
“I had been training and I was doing about 20-mile walks, but nothing could ever prepare you for the West Highland Way itself,” he said.
“It is a long and very hard walk, and it takes stamina to do it.
“If I had not been walking for Mikeysline, there may have been days where I would have struggled to keep going.
“But the people I met on the walk also really helped me keep walking – I suppose a lot like Mikeysline itself.”
Mr Miller walked the 96-mile route in seven days.
“I had blisters – one on each heel the size of golf balls and I was wearing a chain on my neck that has burned my skin in the sun, but it was an experience that I am so glad I have had,” he said.
“And Mikeysline was the perfect charity to raise money for.
“My best advice is to talk to people about how you are feeling.
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“It can make the world of difference, and people understand what you are going through.”
Mr Miller raised £1182 for the charity and is asking others who support his aim, to make a donation directly to Mikeysline.
The charity’s chief executive Emily Stokes said: “We are absolutely delighted and grateful for Darren’s efforts in walking the West Highland Way and raising much-needed funds for Mikeysline.”
Mikeysline began as an Inverness-based suicide prevention and mental health charity but in recent months has been looking to expand its face-to-face offering into Easter Ross.
It recently secured premises at the newly opened Am Bothan Community Café near Skiach, just off the A9, and is soon set to launch a new pilot service for young people in Tain.
The charity provides confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages with mental health issues or in emotional distress in the Highlands via a text line service at 07786 207755.
It runs the Hive drop-in centre in Inverness and is also available via live chat, Twitter and Messenger.
Further help and support for those experiencing mental health issues is also available from:
- Serenity (a support group for women with mental health issues) – email Serenitydropin@gmail.com
- Samaritans – call free on 116 123
- Breathing Space – call 0800 83 85 87
