MENTAL health champion Steve Carr embarked upon a journey of more than 200 miles last night in a bid to beat the stigma surrounding those battling their own crisis.

The intrepid traveller, who last year walked from one end of the country to another in a bid to shine a light on the plight faced by those living on the streets and the mental health issues that blight them, left Swindon last night as he peddles north on a cycle ride to the Lake District.

On the back of his campaigning to raise awareness last year he established his own non-profit organisation Mindcanyon, which aims to reduce homelessness in every town and city working alongside local councils and charities to help combat social isolation in both men and women, signposting people in the direction of help when they need it most.

Steve’s life shattered in 1991 when his older brother Paul was killed in an horrific accident on Akers Way in Swindon. Paul was one of five young people to lose their lives when a car careered off the road and smashed into them.

At the age of 15, Steve had to deal with the loss of his brother and the effect of the trauma on his whole family. Since that time, he has experienced mental health problems, drug addiction and homelessness.

Now 40, he is in recovery, and the strength and determination that has brought him this far is now driving him to try and help others.

“One in four people will suffer from mental health issues or depression in their lifetime,” he told The Advertiser. “I want to show people that stepping away from things that are depressing in every day life - whether that’s work, family issues or peer pressure - can make all the difference.”

He expects the journey of more than 200 miles to take him around four days to complete.

Before embarking on his energetic trip to the north he first attended a special service of celebration held in Westminster Abbey yesterday afternoon marking the achievements of Drug FAM, which provides support to families, friends and carers who are struggling to cope with the nightmare of someone else’s addiction. The service was attended by the Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

“The benefit of getting out into the great outdoors and cycling is that it is great for positive mental health.

“I want to inspire people to speak up and get out and show people that it is okay to talk more about mental health and that it is acceptable to do so.

“I want people to understand that it is okay to go through a mental health issue, but you don’t have to stay there.”

For more details visit www.mindcanyon.org or search for Mindcanyon on Facebook where Steve will be posting updates on his progress this week.