UNITED KINGDOM MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Here in the following, the dates will be representing different themes for different years that have been done to raise awareness for mental health and how you can help to raise awareness throughout these months provided.
18 to 24 May 2020
“Kindness” has been announced as the new theme for Mental Health Awareness Week in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The change – from the original theme of “Sleep” – was made by the Mental Health Foundation, the charity that has set the theme and hosted the Week for the last 20 years. The Week will run as planned and is a moment for the UK to focus on mental health. The charity will publish new polling data and a summary of the latest research evidence about the important mental health benefits of kindness, along with tips, ideas and stories that it hopes will inspire the nation. Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Now more than ever, we need to re-discover kindness in our daily lives. “We want to use Mental Health Awareness Week to celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health. And we want to start a discussion on the kind of society we want to shape as we emerge from this pandemic. “Kindness unlocks our shared humanity and is central to our mental health. It has the potential to bring us together with benefits for everyone, particularly at times of great stress. “One thing we have seen all over the world is that kindness prevails in uncertain times, helping people connect and communities cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “Kindness is also a vital way we can help support the millions of people who were experiencing mental health problems long before the pandemic started. “The research clearly supports this – it shows that acts of kindness can help improve emotional wellbeing. This is true whether we are giving or receiving it.” The Foundation has not forgotten the previous Mental Health Awareness Week theme of “Sleep” and will return to it later because it remains such an important topic. The charity changed the theme to make it as relevant as possible to people affected by the coronavirus. Mr Rowland added: “We will publish more details after Easter, but the Week is open to anyone and everyone to take part – be it by carrying out an act of kindness, doing some volunteering or contributing to the discussion about what kind of society we want to emerge from the pandemic.” Activities for the Week will be released nearer the time but will include:- Poll findings highlighting the effect of kindness on our mental health
- Case studies about acts of kindness by individuals and communities
- Celebrity spokespeople and endorsement
- The opportunity for the public to share their experiences of kindness
Sunday 10 October 2021 – Forward Together
Mental Health UK has partnered with ITN Productions to create a unique news program for World Mental Health Day. ‘Forward Together for Mental Health’ explores how the crisis has advanced the mental health narrative and agenda in the workplace and wider society. Their program also looks at the people and projects safeguarding emotional well-being across the UK and the necessary support in place to help those experiencing mental health problems. ‘Forward Together for Mental Health’ is available to watch on our YouTube channel.9 – 15 May 2022 – Loneliness
Let’s Connect!
They can give people the tools they need to live their best possible life. Let’s connect during Mental Health Awareness Week, and together, we can:- Raise awareness of the links between poor mental health and loneliness
- Provide safe and welcoming spaces to talk and support each other
- Upskill people to use technology and keep in touch with loved ones
- Create an army of volunteers to support lonely people
To find out more of what you can do to help or to learn more about what this organisation does click here to find out mroe