A WOMAN marked the first anniversary of her 'giving up' and going into hospital due to poor mental health by celebrating her rediscovered love of life and dancing. 

In July 2023, Kylie Dean was taken into hospital after coming to believe her life was not worth living. 

But just a year on, thanks to the help of her loved ones and professional help, she is on the road to recovery and her love of life, and her lifelong passion, dancing, has returned. 

She marked this anniversary by braving a 12-hour charity danceathon at Ledbury Primary School, where she works as a learning support practitioner, to raise money and awareness for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Mind.

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She said: "On July 18, 2023, I was taken into hospital after giving up on life and thinking my life wasn’t worth living.

"Coming to terms with the reality I was suffering from ill-mental health was not something I thought would be on the cards for me - but then who does?

"For me, life stopped, everything in life that I used to enjoy no longer gave me that happy feeling.

"I had lost my spark and no longer felt like myself.

"But with the support of my amazing work colleagues, friends, family and professional help I am now well on my way down the road of recovery."

Mrs Dean kick-started her dancing day with a dance class run by the D-Beatz Dance School.

Children from her school then joined her throughout the day helping her to keep up the groove.

And she finished her dancing at the Ledbury Primary School Year 6 leavers disco.

So far, Mrs Dean has raised £1,100 with donations continuing to pour in.

She added: "Since I can remember, dancing has been an important part of my life. 

"It helps me to express how I am feeling and it fills my whole body with joy - I am so thankful to be dancing again.

"In recent years, facing my own struggles with mental health, dancing faded into the background. 

"My love of life has returned - including my love of dancing.

"I am pleased to have reignited that joy and was able to share my love of dancing with the children and staff at Ledbury Primary School on the day."

Visit JustGiving and visit 'Kylie Dean is fundraising for Herefordshire Mind' to donate.