'So many people want to help' - Cornwall woman urges people facing mental health struggles to seek support
After losing her Dad at a young age, cyclist and mental health advocate Katy Roberts wants people to know it's always okay to speak up and ask for help.
Last updated 10th Sep 2026
After losing her Dad to suicide when she was just sixteen, Katy Robertson said it took years before she could talk about it openly.
On Suicide Awareness Day, she's offering advice to encourage those struggling with their mental health to reach out for support.
"For a really long time I didn't talk about it," she said. "It was such a difficult subject it still is. Even though I've said it a million times, it still feels really bizarre."
Katy, who now lives in Swanpool, near Falmouth, said getting outdoors got her through some of her toughest moments.
"I felt very angry at the kind of the mental health systems," she said.
"And actually what helped me was being outside talking and being on a bike."
Katy's experiences sparked a desire to advocate for mental health awareness and support, and in 2024, she set off on a 3,500 miles journey around the coast of Great Britain to raise funds and awareness of mental illness.
Through this, she met other people affected by mental health challenges.
"I've never had so many open conversations," she said. "So many raw conversations, so many sad conversations, so many hopeful conversations as well.
"From then I've just wanted to keep advocating and keep talking about things - raising awareness."
Katy is now preparing for her next challenge - the Wild West Weekender, set to take place in October in Cornwall. The two-day charity cycling adventure, organised by Katy's own venture, Saddle to Sea Adventures, and the Penzance Wheelers Cycling Club, will see them ride around 70km (about 43 miles) per day - with all proceeds going to Cornwall Mind.
'So many people want to help'
Katy also started her own cycling group in Cornwall - where she says she has made strong connections.
"I've had some really beautiful chats on the bike," she said.
"It is a funny subject, it is difficult and you sometimes don't want to bring the tone down or you don't want to upset the other person - but I think because of me being so open, people have had these little snippets of conversations with me when they're feeling down or worried about someone.
"A lot of people ask me questions when they're worried about someone."
Katy says she still has days where she struggles with her own mental health - but offers advice to others.
She encourages anyone concerned about someone's wellbeing to reach out to them directly.
"Just always check in with people because when people are feeling suicidal or down, they feel like they're a burden, they feel like they're not needed," Katy said.
"But that's just not the case. So just checking in and reaching out to people, telling them you love them.
"You might think that people already know that, but you just have no idea what people are going through and how people are feeling.
"So many people want to help, so I think just stressing to people that are feeling down - please talk to someone."
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with their mental health, there are resources avialable.
You can reach out for free, confidential support by calling the Samaritans at 116 123 or contacting the NHS by calling 111.