Mental Health Awareness Week
13 May 2022It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, a week in which people are being encouraged to talk about the importance of protecting their mental health and raising awareness of mental health.
The theme this year is “Loneliness”, which is something that affects millions, something made even more apparent during the pandemic. A recent survey by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) showed that 1 in 4 people said they felt lonely some or all of the time. ‘Severe and enduring loneliness is a key driver of poor mental health. But we still find it very hard to talk about.’ The foundation has made a useful resource on tackling loneliness available. You can access it here.
The MHF are encouraging people who feel able to, to share their stories using the hashtag #IveBeenThere.
Mental Health UK are also tackling loneliness this week with their Let’s Connect Campaign which includes a Connect for Mental Health board.
The NHS’ Every Mind Matters Loneliness webpage, has advice for ways to help yourself or others who may be feeling lonely and suggested support routes.
At SIG, we held a nature walk through Battersea Park and a lunchtime Tea & Talk.
A resident from one of our Women’s Services, Jodie has shared a poem with us that she wrote about loneliness and we share that poem below.
