Filmmaker uses run to battle mental illness
CAMERON RAISING CHARITY MONEY IN MANCHESTER RUN
A FILMMAKER who was diagnosed with clinical depression will take part in the Great Manchester Run to raise money for mental health charity Mind.
Cameron Jones, from Prestwich, said running has allowed him to get his life back on track after mental illhealth caused him to drop out of university last year.
The 20-year-old, who runs OH GOSH Productions, said he felt ‘completely out of control’ when he plunged into depression in October last year, just weeks after starting the second year of his film production degree in London.
He said: “I will never know the causes for sure, but I mostly think that it was my university lifestyle which rendered me unable to cope with the stress and suffering of life.
“A complete lack of routine, uncertainty surrounding my career in the future, and using substances to produce good feelings, as opposed to feeling good through hard work and achievement.
“Despite my enthusiasm for the course I was studying, I was no longer able to continue my studies due to my condition and was forced to move back home.
“This was extremely frustrating for me as I felt completely out of control of my own life, the cause of which couldn’t be laid at the fault of me or anybody.”
Keen to get his life back on track, Cameron moved home and took up running with his friend Henry Williams.
He said changing his lifestyle and getting fit has given him the motivation to set up his own business, a video production company.
“I love the simplicity of running,” Cameron added.
“When our goals and aims seem so uncertain, in work or relationships, running is a way to remind yourself that you’re able to set a simple goal to run 10K and do your best to achieve it.
“When I’m running with my friend Henry, in addition to releasing the tension built up in my body from sitting at a computer editing most of the day, we also have an opportunity to chat openly about our lives.
“Not only does this make the running a little easier, but it also acts as a small therapy session. We complain about our problems and the things that are bothering us.
“By the time we have finished our run, showered and dressed, all of the resentment and worry that I may have been harbouring prior to the run has completely dissipated and I’m ready to begin my day with a clear mind.
“This newfound attitude has not only cured my day to day mood and perception of life in general but pushed me to set up my own business.”
Cameron and Henry will be running the Simplyhealth half marathon event on Sunday.
He said: “We’re raising money for Mind, Simplyhealth’s chosen charity for this year’s event.
“We initially began running as an antidote to our own struggles with mental health, so it only seemed appropriate that we raise money in support of Mind.”
Simplyhealth has launched a train and prepare section online. To find out more, visit www.greatrun.org/ training-simplyhealth.