Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago. Each year the Foundation continues to set the theme, organise and host the week. The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.

Why loneliness? 

Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic. Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health and we need to find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this.    

So, this Mental Health Awareness Week, the idea is to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on mental wellbeing and the practical steps we can take to address it.    

Reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society.

Getting help

If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. 

Talk to someone you trust

You may find it helpful to talk to your partner, a relative or a friend about your problems. They may be concerned about you and welcome the opportunity to hear what you have to say. If this is not possible, you may prefer to talk to someone else you can trust, like a faith leader or a tutor.

Below are details on services and organisations that offer help and support directly to people with mental health problems:

Samaritans:

The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day - in full confidence.

• Call 116 123 - it's FREE

Or email jo@samaritans.org.uk

MIND:

Mind offer an information line to answer questions about:

• types of mental health problem
• where to get help
• drug and alternative treatments
• advocacy.

Call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably). Or email info@mind.org.uk.

Rethink Mental Health:

You can call the Rethink advice and information line Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm for practical advice on:

• different types of therapy and medication
• benefits, debt, money issues
• police, courts, prison
• your rights under the Mental Health Act.

Call Rethink on 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).