‘We need to stomp out the stigma around mental health’ says fundraising Fed member

22 April 2025

A Nottinghamshire police officer who came close to taking his own life wants to stomp out the stigma surrounding mental health by climbing six mountains in 72 hours.

PC Drew Fenn, his wife Jemma - who is also a Nottinghamshire cop - and his little sister, Charlotte will be embarking on the fundraising challenge at the beginning of May.

Raising money for men’s mental health charity, Enlighten The Shadows, the duo are set to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks, followed by Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

“I can’t remember a time that I didn’t suffer with my mental health,” said 42-year-old Drew, adding: “It’s become normal. I’ve hit rock bottom on two occassions.”

PC Drew Fenn wants to end the stigma surrounding mental health by climbing six mountains in 72 hours.

Although he admits he has always felt feelings of anxiety and depression, he recalls being particularly triggered when he attended a suicide.

“We had to pull the person out of the water and in his pocket was an orange Club chocolate bar. Seeing that chocolate bar really impacted me. At the time, I didn’t know why, but having received therapy since, I now know that chocolate bar triggered feelings from my traumatic childhood,” he explained.

Like a lot of people do - especially men in the Force - Drew ‘ploughed on’.

However, having been hit by a car in 2020, he found himself on pain-relief medication - a medication that included antidepressants.

Positive impact

“That sparked something for me,” said father-of-two Drew, who recognised that the medication was having a positive impact on his mental health. 

This led to him taking anti-anxiety and antidepressant tablets, as well as having therapy through the Federation.

“Just having an understanding of the root cause of my mental health issues really helped,” he said, adding: “It gave me a better perspective. Until then, it felt like I’d been enclosed in a dark room and there was no way out.

“Without a doubt, the medication and counselling have saved my life. Things could’ve been very different now.”

Driven by his own experiences, Drew wants to raise awareness of mental health - especially in men - as well as the support that is available.

“I’m a real advocate for counselling and I want people to know that the Police Federation is there to support members if they need it,” said Drew.

“I want to spread the word that it’s OK to get help if you need it - especially men in the police, who often feel like they need to put on this strong front all of the time.”

Mental health

On Friday 2 May, the fundraising team will climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks, before venturing up to Scotland the following day to kick off the National Three Peaks, starting with Ben Nevis. They will then climb England’s Scafell Pike and Snowdon, in Wales.

All money raised will go towards Enlighten The Shadows, a charity that Drew can provide a lifeline to men suffering with their mental health.

“Suicide is still the biggest killer in men,” said Drew, adding: “It needs to be talked about so we can prevent men, just like me, from taking their own life.”

You can follow Drew’s fundraising efforts on Instagram: @stomping.out.stigma2025 

Support Drew by donating to their JustGiving page.

READ MORE: Bookings open for National Police Memorial Day.