A Perth woman is set to take on the UK’s highest mountain in aid of a mental health group she described as like a “family” for her.
Kayren Allan, 24, began attending Linda’s Ladies sessions in Perth, having struggled with her mental health for a significant amount of time.
Kayren will climb Ben Nevis on May 22 and has already raised over £475, smashing her target of £300.
She will undertake her climb with the Munro’s for Mental Health group.
She originally planned to raise money for the charity, Mind but decided to instead donate it to Linda’s Ladies.
She said: “When I was at college, I came across the Munros for Mental Health charity and I immediately signed up.
“I was originally going to raise money for Mind.com but the same week, I went to Linda’s Ladies for the first time.
“After an incident in November 2019, I realised I needed to get more help.
“I found a family, a place I could feel safe, supported and loved, so I am doing the Munro climb for the ladies I have met at Linda’s Ladies.”
Kayren, who has borderline personality disorder, said the group’s founder, Linda Fisken has been a huge support.
She said: “Linda is an inspiration and she’s the one I am doing this for.
“My whole family have been a brilliant support and I see a private therapist now, and she’s been a massive support as well.”
It was her sister who found out about the Linda’s Ladies group and suggested that she went along.
Kayren also highlighted the issues she has faced in accessing mental health support from health teams in Perth.
She has struggled to get help from the mental health team at Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) and now wants to advocate for improved mental health services in the area.
She said: “They said I wasn’t a priority even after I took an overdose.
“I want to fight the system.”
But an NHS Tayside spokesperson said: “Anyone admitted to Perth Royal Infirmary following attempted suicide or with suicidal thoughts is seen by the mental health team and receives a full psychiatric assessment and a risk assessment to identify the best course of treatment for them.
“The Perth & Kinross Adult Community Mental Health Service supports people in the community who are experiencing longer term or more complex mental health issues and also offers a crisis response service.”
Linda’s Ladies was set up in November last year by Linda Fisken.
Kayren said: “I was kind of lost until I found Linda and her ladies.
“I’ve struggled for my disorder and I want to get across to people that it’s okay not to be okay.”
Linda’s Ladies meets every Thursday at The Tavern on South Street, Perth from 7pm to 8pm.
