At Sydoria, we believe that responsibility goes beyond what is visible. That’s why this year we proudly partnered with the 5th edition of “Run for Emotions,” — initiative dedicated to raising awareness of male depression and the importance of seeking help. Our Polish ambassador, Szymon Makuch, ran more than 500 kilometers in support of this cause as part as Sydoria Division Riders project.

Sydoria Division Riders: Szymon Makuch

Every edition of “Run for Emotions” brings together sport, education and social advocacy. The 2025 route, led by the project’s founder and Sydoria ambassador Szymon Makuch, covered 500 kilometers across the demanding Scottish Highlands. More than a physical achievement, the run symbolized the internal journey all individuals face when navigating emotional pain and mental struggle.

Mental Health: the Urgency of the Issue

According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people worldwide experience depression, with men representing over 40% of all cases. In Poland alone, 75% of all suicides are committed by men. Despite this, men still seek help significantly less often, hindered by stigma, fear of judgment and cultural expectations around strength and resilience. This year’s campaign was built on a message we fully align with as a brand: “The greatest act of courage is asking for help.”

Educational Impact Through Partnership

To ensure the project’s social value was meaningful and far-reaching, Sydoria partnered with the Nie Widać Po Mnie Foundation, an organization specializing in crisis intervention and mental-health education. The Foundation created a comprehensive educational campaign about male depression, including expert-reviewed materials, an ebook for families, dedicated articles, podcasts, real-life testimonials and a knowledge hub that saw a 60% increase in visits during the project.

Community Response and Engagement

Throughout the expedition, the communication campaign generated significant engagement — 126,000 video views, 4,000 post interactions, and over 20,000 visits to the project website in September alone — proving the urgency of the topic and the strong social response. A fundraising initiative on the siepomaga.pl platform further supported the Foundation’s long-term educational work.

Sydoria’s Role and Commitment

As the project’s main sponsor, Sydoria provided essential expedition gear tailored to extreme conditions and contributed financial support necessary for safe and effective execution. But our role was not limited to material support. Mental health has been a core theme in our collaboration with Szymon, whose personal mission and authenticity resonate deeply with our brand’s ethos. Beyond the run, Szymon is involved in ongoing educational and awareness projects that amplify the message that mental health is health.

The Path Forward

Today, the impact of the campaign continues. Educational resources remain available online, stories are shared across communities, and the conversation about male mental health grows louder and more empathetic. Projects like “Run for Emotions” prove that sport can become a voice for those who are often unseen — and at Sydoria, we are committed to ensuring that voice continues to be heard.

A Reflection of Who We Are

Supporting initiatives that foster connection, honesty and courage is not an addition to who we are — it is a reflection of our values. And we believe that when brands speak openly about mental health, they help create a culture where seeking help becomes not an act of weakness, but an act of strength.