Walking Mends My Mind

A Publication by Gary @ Blog Fae The Bog

Welcome to Blog Fae The Bog Getting the Sh*t Oot Ma Head

If you’re looking for a mix of random topics, light-hearted nonsense, and the occasional pointless ramble, you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome back to the next instalment of Blog Fae The Bog. I’m Gary – writer, keen poet, habitual journaler, and a general scribbler of anything that happens to spring to mind.

Fair Warning: Please only read my blog if you are not easily offended. If you are, please read something else! 

Take Some Breathing Space: Back in 2018, an amazing initiative was launched in Scotland by the NHS Breathing Space Mental Health Service. What followed was to become a national movement, starting with the installation of Scotland’s first mental health awareness bench, proudly located on the promenade in the South Ayrshire seaside town of Troon.(Relocated in 2024 to Troons newly refurbished Italian Garden)

Now, 8 years on, there are over 100 benches placed all across the country with the 100th milestone bench launched in February 2026 located at Stirling train station. This all important 100th offers something a little different and embraces modern-day technology featuring a QR code linking directly to essential mental health support services. 

With the number of bench installs rapidly increasing across the country this physical message has even reached one of the more remote locations, the Island of Islay on the West Coast of Scotland’s Southernmost point of the Inner Hebrides.

Here in Fife, we have also warmly embraced the project with benches installed at Fife College, Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy, and a third bench that was more recently brought to the town by the Dunnikier Park Development Group. This project was headed up by Stephen Maccrimmon, group Secretary and myself group Chair who are both deeply passionate about delivering the mental health and well-being message far and wide.

But watch this space Fife is not stopping there headed up by Change Mental Health there is another 3 Benches planned to be unveiled over the coming months.

What is a Breathing Space Bench:

• A Breathing Space bench is a public seat in Scotland designed to support mental health. Placed in accessible locations ranging from parks and university campuses to remote rural areas and train stations, they encourage people to pause, reflect, and talk openly.
• The benches serve as a simple, physical reminder to slow down and act as a signpost for anyone who is struggling.
• They are designed as a place to sit, pause and breathe, inviting you to sit down, slow down, and take a quiet moment for your own well-being.
• A space to talk that encourages people to open up and chat about how they are feeling, helping to break the stigma around mental health.
• A physical signpost for help. Each seat features a physical plaque or a modern QR code signposting confidential helplines, including Samaritans and NHS 24’s Breathing Space service with a free, confidential line for anyone feeling stressed, anxious, or down.
• A simple reminder: You don’t have to carry your worries alone. Support is always available whenever you need it.

So, ask yourself this question, how often do you make time for yourself? How often do you take 5 or 10 minutes out of your hectic, stressful, or busy day to sit, pause, and just breathe?

A Personal Connection: Like a lot of people I have suffered at the hands of my own thoughts and demons over the years, this has been due to various factors, some of my own doing some not. However, it was two deeply sad times in my life that set me on a path to learn and gain more knowledge and understanding with regards to mental health and how I can do my bit and help others raise awareness. 

The tragic loss of a close family member to suicide, and the very recent, loss of my mother to cancer, left me struggling at times and failing to calm my monkey mind. Grief, anxiety and numbness are just some of the things that have played a part in me often questioning my own mental health state. Through these difficult times, I have always been reminded of how powerful nature can be and the answer for me was quite simple, Walking Mends My Mind & Nature Soothes My Soul. 

WANDER
As I wander leaving my thoughts and troubles behind, Clearing the clutter from my wandering mind.

As I wander calmly, relaxed and in no need to hurry, Without a care in the world, with no stress or worry.

As I wander listening, watching seeking new adventure, I find myself inspired by the beauty of nature.

As I wander with my feet not my mind, Leaving my thoughts and troubles behind.

Walking really does mend my mind.

©️G J Meldrum

Kirkcaldy’s 3rd Breathing Space Bench: Dunnikier Country Park was one that was deeply personal to me a place that i have frequented over the years and when i have been at my lowest, enjoying quiet walks through the various woodland trails and finding peace within the wetland meadows. it has always been my safe place and a place where I have found comfort.

So it was no surprise that this had to be the location for the third Breathing Space Bench. Not long after the unveiling I piloted a small “Connecting the Benches” walk during the popular Kirkcaldy Walking Festival, an annual event that is held in the town during month of June.

So then i thought why not link all the benches in Fife, then maybe all the benches in Scotland? (Haha calm down one walk at a time) joke aside who knows it might catch on and inspire like minded people or groups to follow suit.

National Records of Scotland: Why we must get the message out there looking at the most recent statistics taken from the national records of Scotland Probable Suicides, 2024 – National Records of Scotland (NRS) on probable suicide rates in 2024 are harrowing. Thankfully those numbers are decreasing.

• In 2024, there were 704 probable suicide deaths in Scotland, a decrease of 86 (11%) from 790 in 2023.
• Compared to 2023, male probable suicide deaths decreased by 71 (12%) to 518 deaths in 2024, while female probable suicide deaths decreased by 15 (7%) to 186 deaths.
• The rate of probable suicide mortality in males was 2.9 times the rate for females in 2024. Rates have been consistently higher for males since the series began, ranging from 2.6 to 3.6 times as high compared to females.
• The rate of probable suicide mortality in the most deprived areas in Scotland was 2.5 times as high as in the least deprived areas in Scotland.
• The gap between rates of probable suicide mortality between the most and least deprived areas has decreased since 2001, driven by lower rates in the most deprived areas.
• In 2024, age-specific rates of probable suicide mortality were highest for those aged between 25 and 64. The rates for these age groups were over twice as high compared to those aged over 75 or under 25.
• Since 2000, the average age at death for probable suicide deaths has generally increased, from 41.9 years in 2000 to 47.5 years in 2024. This is slightly younger than 48.2 in 2022, which represented the oldest average age at death since 1980.

The Winter Challenge: So this is why I plan to do my little bit and help to get the message out there and to further promote the already phenomenal work that has been done by NHS Breathing Space and all the partners that have helped deliver the benches and this huge important message. 

In late January 2027 I will be lacing up my walking boots again, embarking on a 7-day, walking journey across Fife connecting 8 NHS Breathing Space Benches. I will be spending 5 or 10 minutes at each bench  just to pause, sit and breathe. A challenge that highlights this natural path to healing while sending a clear message to anyone going through a tough time. 

“You do not have to struggle alone”

My 100 mile walking journey will be a solo one and walking under my walking group banner, Walking Mends My Mind, i will also be teaming up with NHS Breathing Space and local charity Change Mental Health, who will be assisting, and supporting me on what will likely be a very cold  journey from Newport in the North East of Fife, across to St Andrews on the East Coast before heading back in to the Central Belt then finishing the challenge in Dunfermline on Fifes West Coast. 

The Goal: By bringing at least another one breathing space bench to Kirkcaldy and the Kingdom Of Fife we will continue the legacy set out by NHS, Take Some Breathing Space by delivering another dedicated sanctuary where those who are struggling can sit, pause, and find comfort.

Walk & Talk with Me: when the time comes i invite you to wander a few miles with me, linking up at any part of my journey. Just bring a flask of soup, a nice sandwich and your amazing patter. Let’s do this i am sure we will have lots of fun along the way.  Oh and please do come prepared and wear suitable footwear and some warm clothes as it will no doubt be Baltic.

I will soon be publishing the full details regarding my winter walking challenge and how you can get involved, a just given page will also be available if you wanted to leave a small donation, this will be updated in due course on my website https://walkingmendsmymind.com/

Need to talk: Do not suffer alone, there is help out there. 

Breathingspace.scot – 0800 83 85 87

Get support for your mental health – Change Mental Health  0808 8010 515

samaritans.org – 116 123 

©️G J Meldrum