In our final report for this year’s Guardian and Observer appeal, which has raised £1,050,000, three ‘activists’ for the mental health charity YoungMinds tell their stories
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When Lucas emerged from hospital the world had changed. It was late March and the 19-year-old was ordered to shield after six weeks of treatment for sepsis.
Like most teenagers, Lucas relied on social interaction, but his autism also required routine. Monday meant dog agility classes; Tuesday was brass band night; Wednesday, the St John Ambulance get together. On Thursday and Friday, there was training for Lancashire’s inclusive rugby team, the Typhoons. Suddenly, there was nothing. His mental health collapsed.
