Mental Health Awareness Week: Access to help and support

The past year has been an incredibly tough time for all of us and if you're struggling to cope with the ways you are feeling, this is more than understandable.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and there are plenty of resources available to ensure you can take the time to check up on your own and your loved ones’ mental health.

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week encourages the theme of nature. 

📣 #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek starts today. Help us to get the nation talking about nature and mental health. 🌳Join the movement. #ConnectWithNature. Get involved. pic.twitter.com/rKW9Y90uRp

— Mental Health Foundation (@mentalhealth) May 10, 2021

More than half of UK adults say that being close to nature improved their mental health, while four in ten people say it made them feel less worried or anxious and almost two thirds of people said being close to nature meant they experienced positive emotions.

Nature can really help to put things into perspective, take the pressure off and bring a calm presence to your day. Therefore, it can be helpful to try and prioritise getting close to our wonderful green earth.

Visiting a park or a lake, taking a moment to see and feel nature or even just admiring wildlife from your window, connecting with the nature around us could have a positive effect on our mental health and introduce us to a whole new world of adventure.

Whether you’ve been stuck inside for the past year and are itching for an escapism, you’ve missed seeing your family and friends and making quality memories or you’re desperate for a return of a normal daily routine, we understand, and it is important to know that help is available.

Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind have a whole host of activities to keep you busy and are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved. With a walk through the stunning Stamford Park on Tuesday and an arts and crafts session on Friday, there is something available to interest everyone.

Today marks the start of #mhaw2021 - here are some of our activities people can get involved in this week. With the theme this year being nature, now is also a great time to get out, take time and breath! #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2021 pic.twitter.com/cbMxDovMQV

— Tameside, Oldham & Glossop Mind (@TOGMind) May 10, 2021

NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Tameside Council are backing the campaign, urging residents to connect with nature in new ways, highlighting the positive impact that this connection can have on their mental health. 

Every Mind Matters can get people started with a free NHS online plan, showing simple steps to help manage anxiety, sleep better and boost mood.  There is also a wealth of content which includes practical tips and videos from experts on dealing with stress and anxiety, boosting your mood, sleeping better and what you can do to help others – including advice for parents and for children and young people. 

Their platform is continuously updated to support people during the COVID-19 outbreak, and has a COVID-19 hub that includes tips and support on how to deal with change, cope with money worries and job uncertainty and how to look after your mental wellbeing while staying at home.  Visit https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Dr Asad Ali, Co-Chair at NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s important to take care of yourself and get the most from life. Making simple changes to how you live doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.”

For pregnancy and early years, children and young people, and adults mental health support and advice including urgent help visit: https://www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/mentalhealthsupport

As always, Mental Health Football will be providing the opportunity to use a physical activity to improve mental health. Meeting on Friday evenings at Broadfield Primary School on their 3G pitch, the group offers a free game with no judgment and access for all abilities.  

Please give our Mental health initiative @MHF_Oldham a follow. MHF gives people the chance to play football using physical activity, support and friendship to help improve mental health. Let’s end the stigma and get talking about Mental Health. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2021 pic.twitter.com/gM2fIaz25D

— AFC Oldham 🦉 (@AFCOldham) May 10, 2021

Ashton Sixth Form College have also let their students know that they are there to listen if anyone is struggling.  

🧠 Today marks the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021!

We will be sharing resources, tips & tools throughout the week 😊 pic.twitter.com/tOvvmID2hJ

— Higher & Adult Education ASFC (@asfcHE) May 10, 2021

This time is incredibly important to check up on the people you care about also, giving someone 10 minutes out of your day to show that you are listening might just be what some need.

Thankfully, we are beginning to see the lifting of restrictions, guiding us to a return of the things we have missed dearly. As much as the easing of restrictions will come as welcome news to most, some may have anxieties around the opening of busy establishments, and this is completely okay.

It is important that we move at our own pace, no matter how fast or how slow this may be.

If you would like further help or support with your mental health, here are some contacts that can offer you the care you need:

Samaritans: Call free on 116 123 or visit the website here

MIND: Mind is available for tips and support on its website here

NHS 111: Non-emergency advice is available online here, and you should only call 111 if you cannot access help online. 

Shout: Confidential 24/7 crisis text support. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. 

A full list of mental health helplines can be found here