A WOMAN who suffered a breakdown has been using exercise to tackle her mental health issues.

Hannah Ray is joining TV celebrities to scale four mountains in 14 hours in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Ms Ray, a postgraduate student at the University of Brighton, believes exercise is one of the best drugs for people with mental health problems.

The 23-year-old fell ill last year and says support from friends and relatives, plus regular exercise, helped her recover quicker than when she had used medication.

Today she will scale the four highest peaks in the Lake District alongside presenters Denise Welch, Gail Porter and Anna Williamson and newsreader Emma Crosby.

The aim is to raise £50,000 for the charity Mind, which provides advice and support and campaigns to improve mental health services.

Ms Ray said: “Last year I suffered a nervous breakdown and became bipolar. Being a student of physiology, I have a good understanding of how the human body works but I couldn't understand why my mind and body were attacking me with constant anxiety, skin crawling and heart racing.

“I could no longer function let alone study toward my PhD or exercise. I hated who I had become.”

Ms Ray said her recovery was the “hardest and most exhausting” fight but “with the love, support and help from my family, friends, PhD supervisors and a few influential people” is back on track.

She is now working towards her British Association of Sport and Exercise certified exercise practitioner status.

Ms Ray said: “I've finally found my place in this world. I am learning every day and some days are harder than others. Exercise is the best drug I’ve ever taken. I run 50km per week with my best friend and teach my group fitness classes which help me a lot.

“I wish I had known about Mind when I was at my lowest. When I saw that Mind was recruiting for participants, I applied, not thinking I’d get anywhere.

“I see their challenge as an opportunity to raise a significant amount of money to a very deserving charity. I also see it as an opportunity to inspire people who have been or are in the same dark place as I was.”

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/hannahray