Norfolk woman is urging the public to talk about mental health 'like a broken leg'

A mental health worker in Norfolk who lives with a rare chronic bone condition is taking on the Ipswich Half Marathon to raise money and awareness for mental health charity Brave Futures.

Isabel Allison has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a condition that can cause severe joint dislocations and fatigue, but despite the difficulties, she comes from an active family and has a strong background in various sports, which helps to manage her condition

This year Isabel underwent surgery on both of her legs and has faced mental health struggles and recently experienced a growth behind her knees that disrupted her training.

However, she describes herself as a 'stubborn gal' who is committed to completing the half marathon no matter the obstacle.

"Really important to acknowledge that"

She told us she is using it as a way to give back to mental health charities who support people like herself, going through difficult situations:

"Those people work in probably quite difficult circumstances to support those people, it can be quite traumatising to hear those stories."

"The work they do can't be ignored in terms of the impact they have on young people who have been through some of the worst things they possibly can.

"They are so tireless in the work that they do, and it just goes to show that these are people who really want to make a change for young people across Norfolk and Suffolk, and that's what I keep in mind when I try and do my training and get out there.

"I think it's mental health not talked about enough and I'm very open about the fact that I do have days where my mental health is better than some others, and I think it's really important to acknowledge that, because then you can take steps to make you feel better."

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