Mental health podcaster on month of fundraiser runs

The co-founder of a men's mental health podcast is running every day in May to raise money for a charity that supports his daughter.

Lee Cadman, who is one half of Black Country Blokes, has run 5km (3.1miles) each day since the start of the month, to raise awareness of a condition called Dravet Syndrome and funds for medical research.

He has been posting on social media, having been inspired by his daughter who has the severe neurological condition.

Mr Cadman and fellow podcaster Kevin Dillon were recently awarded a King's Award for Voluntary Service.

They spoke to BBC WM about men's mental health, highlighting the benefits of writing a gratitude list and doing daily exercise.

To anyone dealing with mental issues, Mr Cadman said "you have to open up".

"You have to find someone who you trust, who you can open up to," he said.

"It doesn't have to be a professional. It can be a friend, it can be your wife, it can be anyone, just find someone who you can open to.

"Hopefully, that will be a positive experience for you and that person will listen. For the person who is listening, that's all you've got to do. You've just got to listen. You don't need to solve the problem, you have to listen."

Mr Dillon said the "best friend" of any mental health issue was loneliness and he urged people to try to avoid being alone when problematic feelings arose.

"By knocking down those walls and showing people you're not alone, it gives them the strength to talk and to be there," he said.

"We feel weak for feeling emotional, but we should have emotions, we should be happy and sad - all those wonderful things - because we're human beings."

During his fundraising, Mr Cadman has also posted on Facebook that it "isn't just a run".

"It's a lifeline. It's a message. It's me saying enough. Enough silence. Enough feeling alone," he wrote.

The Black Country Blokes group runs a podcast, radio slot, daily boxing and fitness classes and a Thought for the Day on social media.

It evolved from founder Mr Dillon's plans to create a boxing gym where men could open up about their problems and fears.

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