Mental Health Awareness Week: 10-16 May 2021

Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

"Mental Health Awareness Week has grown to be one of the biggest awareness weeks in the UK. This year the theme is on nature and its central role for our mental health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature to help us get through lockdowns and our research shows that good mental health depends on us being able to connect with nature in some way and its power in both prevention of and recovery from poor mental health."

"During the week, we want to hear millions of people's stories about how the natural world has supported their mental health."

"We also want to highlight the huge disparities between who is and who isn't able to access nature. We want the week to explore how everyone across the UK can connect with nature and experience the mental health benefits wherever they live." 

Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week:

• During Mental Health Awareness Week, why not try to make a habit each day of connecting to the nature in your local area? Stop to listen to the birdsong, smell the freshly cut grass, take care of a house plant, notice any trees, flowers or animals nearby. Take a moment to appreciate these connections.
• Share images/videos/or just sound recordings of the nature on your doorstep (and how this made you feel) on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

For more information about this year's Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the DTA's Charity for 2021 Mind are stepping up the fight for mental health. They say:

'During this pandemic, millions of us have experienced a mental health problem, or seen a loved one struggle. And we've seen that the support we all need just isn't out there.

For them, for us and for you - we must take this chance to step up the fight for mental health. That means fighting for change, for fairness, for respect and for life-changing support.

How you can get involved

• Speak out and share why you're fighting.  Whether you use social media or simply speak with friends, family or colleagues - mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 by telling those around you why you've joined the fight for mental health and help create a movement for change.
• Donate. With your help, we can lead the fight for mental health together, while continuing to give support to those of us with a mental health problem.'

 You can make a donation to Mind through the DTA JustGiving Page.