‘I felt suicidal at 16 — then an epic arctic adventure saved my life’

Trapped in a remote hut in Greenland, battered by relentless 40mph winds, 16-year-old Carys Campbell and her expedition team knew they had one chance to make it back to their base. During a short weather window, the group covered 13 miles in a single day, navigating frozen lakes on cross-country skis in brutal conditions.

It may sound like a nightmare, but for Carys, the experience was nothing short of life-changing. She is one of hundreds of young people who have seen their mental health and confidence transformed after completing an epic arctic challenge with Scottish charity The Polar Academy. Carys, now 17, said: “It should have been terrifying — the risks were real — but I wasn’t scared. I felt calm and ready. All our training, all the preparation, had brought us to this point. I knew we could do it.

“Crossing that distance in the deep cold, with nothing but the sound of skis cutting through ice and snow, was one of the most physically demanding and mentally challenging days I’ve ever had. 

“When we finally reached the base exhausted but safe the rush of exhilaration and pride hit me like a wave. That moment, that feeling, is still with me. It’s something I’ll carry forever.”

Founded by renowned polar explorer Craig Mathieson, The Polar Academy has supported more than 200 “invisible” kids who struggle with their confidence or fitting in.

Some have been victims of bullying, have anxiety or depression, or have suffered bereavement.

Carys says she had hit “rock bottom” before her trip. She is autistic and finds social situations hard, and has been bullied at school, with a detrimental effect on her self-esteem.

The teenager said: “Most days were full of anxiety. I wouldn’t talk about school, I’d come home angry, have meltdowns, and hide away in my room. I even told my mum I wanted to end my life. Then something unexpected saved me — getting out into nature.”

After learning about The Polar Academy at school, keen environmentalist Carys applied for the trip. Even the chance of being selected lifted her spirits.

She recalled: “I’ve always cared about the environment — worried about the ice caps, polar bears — I even got my family to stop using plastic bottles. Just the hope of being picked gave me a lift. I was ready to leave school, but I stayed, just in case.”

Eventually, Carys was selected as one of 15 youngsters to join the expedition to Greenland in March. “For the first time in years, I felt seen,” she said. 

“I went from dreading school to waking up with purpose. My confidence went through the roof. Greenland changed everything. We skied, cooked outdoors in 30 mph winds, and supported each other when people missed home.

“I learned to work in a team and came back able to speak to people in a way I never had before.”

Carys, of Erskine in Renfrewshire, Scotland, said she used to be “scared of the world” and relied on her younger brother to speak for her. She added: “Now, I’ve found my own voice.

“I’m doing my Highers [exams] and I want to work in climate change or become an outdoor instructor. University didn’t even seem possible before. Now, I can’t wait to apply.

“Getting outside changed my life. It helped my mental and physical health and gave me hope. It’s also made me realise how important it is to protect the planet — for all of us and for the generations to come.” 

Carys’s mum Jaynie said she now felt her daughter could achieve “anything she puts her mind to”. She added: “To go from a child who wanted to end her life to one who enjoys talking to people and looks forward to the future is just incredible.”

Carys shared her story to mark World Environment Day and support The National Lottery Community Fund, which helps fund The Polar Academy’s work.

Mr Mathieson, who is explorer-in-residence with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, said the Young Start Funding the charity received had enabled it to give young people like Carys “a purpose, a sense of belonging and a future”.

He added: “Our mission is simple but vital — to transform these teenagers into resilient, confident role models through a year-long programme of physical endurance, mental training, and personal discovery. 

“Currently each year, we work with 30 young people, supported by their families and schools, culminating in a life-changing Arctic expedition to East Greenland.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is urging the public to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to help fund environmental projects that can transform communities.

A survey of more than 2,000 parents of children aged four to 17, conducted by Ipsos for the Fund, found that one in four UK parents had seen their children struggle with anxiety in the last year.

Parents of girls aged 15-17 were twice as likely to say their child had poor mental health as parents with boys of the same age (15% vs 7%). 

Reduced screen time with digital devices was the top intervention parents thought could help improve their child’s mental health.

Some 43% also believed that spending time in nature could help and 28% felt that access to green spaces such as parks would be beneficial.

A 2019 study published in the journal Nature found that spending at least two hours in nature per week significantly boosted mental health and wellbeing. It did not matter whether the time was achieved in a single visit or several shorter visits.

In the last year, The National Lottery Community Fund has supported nearly 400 environmental projects across the UK to protect and restore nature, encourage recycling and save energy, thanks to almost £50 million of funding generated by National Lottery players.  

John Rose, the fund’s environment lead, said: “It’s really worrying to hear parents reporting that children are struggling so much with their mental health. 

“It’s a complex area and while there is no one single solution, parents are telling us that access to green spaces and nature could play a part in helping their child’s mental health and we know this is backed up by other research.”

Urging organisations to come forward and apply for funding, Mr Rose added: “If you have an idea for a project that will restore or improve your local environment, whether that’s a tree-planting project, a community garden or a recycling scheme we’re urging you to get in touch and apply for a grant at tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.”

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