Whaddon HealthcareHow can you be a part of Mental Health Awareness Week?
The theme for this year is Nature. During long months of the pandemic, millions
of us turned to nature, and this year’s aim is to encourage more people to
connect with nature, which might be somewhere right on your doorstep.
Whether you do this on your own, with a friend or family member, the benefits
from spending time in nature and incorporating this into your daily routine can
be great!
Key Aims for MHAW 2021
The week is an opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing help and advice. The aim is to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, noticing the impact that this can have for their mental health. This might be as a simple as tending to a house plant, taking a walk, listening to the birds, touching the bark of trees, smelling flowers or writing a poem about a favourite nature spot. #NatureBLMK and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ConnectWithNature are the hashtags for sharing stories/pictures.
How to get involved
- Experience nature: take time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the week. Take a moment to notice and celebrate nature in your daily life. You might be surprised by what you notice!
- Share nature: Take a photo, video or sound recording and share the connections you’ve made during the week, to inspire others. Join the discussion on how you’re connecting with nature by using the hashtags #NatureBLMK #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
- Talk about nature: use tips, school packs, research and policy guides to discuss in your family, school, workplace and community how you can help encourage people to find new ways to connect with nature in your local environment
If you would like to share any comments on the week or how you plan to get involved please email Sophie.Jordan@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Contacts and links to additional support
Local Services
MK Talk for Change
Offers access to talking therapies and mental health care, including a weekly webinar for those individuals who are experiencing difficulties with Covid-19 or associated with isolation
Tel: 01908 725099 support@talkforchange.org.uk
Mind BLMK
Existing services replaced with phone and/or email support on
Tel: 0300 330 0648 or hq@mind-blmk.org.uk
Kooth
Online counselling for young people
Milton Keynes Age UK
Telephone befriending service
Tel: 01908 550700 (Monday-Friday 09:00 – 16:00)
Mental Health Crisis
If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support you can call the CNWL crisis line
Tel: 0800 023 4650
Mind MK Crisis Café
Open 17:00 – 23:00, 7 days a week.
Tel: 01525 722225
Official Covid-19 Guidance
Helplines
Samaritans
Tel: 116 123
Shout Crisis Text line
Text Shout to 85258
CALM
Tel: 0800 58 58 58
Our Frontline – support for frontline workers
Text: FRONTLINE to 85258 or call 116 123 for a conversation with a trained volunteer
www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ourfrontline
National Debt Line– free and independent advice
Tel: 0808 808 4000 09:00 – 20:00 Monday-Friday or visit www.nationaldebtline.org
Useful Links
Every Mind Matters
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
From early September Every Mind Matters will provide information to support children and young people
Heads Up – men’s mental health campaign
See the Signs, Save a Life
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/wellbeing-during-coronavirus/see-the-signs
Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/coming-out-of-lockdown
Age UK
Tel: 0800 678 1602 (08:00 – 19:00)