Harki is running the London Marathon for Samaritans because the charity was a crucial support when he needed someone to listen. After his own experience, he realised how important it is to talk and check in on your friends.
London Marathon 2024 will be my first marathon and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
I chose to fundraise for Samaritans because I’ve always had a soft spot for the charity – they were crucial for me at a time in my life when I needed someone to listen in my early twenties.
I always knew that Samaritans was someone you could talk to if you’re going through a rough time. I spoke to a bloke, and we had a 50-minute conversation. He was brilliant, he helped me look at things differently – it wasn’t instantly better, but it helped me consider that I wasn’t in a dead end.
After my own experience, I realised how important it is to talk. I’ve been able to notice cues in my friends so I know when to check in too – it’s made me more aware. I make a point of trying to be attuned to what’s going on in their lives.
There’s still stigma attached to mental health and as a huge football fan, I’ve seen how players have been treated online when they’ve shared that they are struggling. Before I became an actor, I worked in construction and although the banter was great, I’m not sure how much space there was for people to talk about anything personal. We were watertight on health and safety but that didn’t include mental health – I hope that’s changed.
If someone was struggling to cope, I’d let them know that things will be alright. You might not think there’s a way through it, and you might feel at the bottom of a pit, but you’ll be surprised by the difference days can make. The crappy days will get less, and the better days will get more.
