Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health.
The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 22nd year and runs from 9-15 May.
This year, the theme for the week is ‘Loneliness’. Across the country, people will be reflecting on loneliness and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Here at Status, we will be making time to consider the impact of this on both our staff and the clients we support. We will be checking in on each other, sharing tips and best practice throughout the week and will encourage staff to set time aside to make contact with those close them. We are also committed to reaching out to those clients who may be at risk of disengaging from our services and ensuring our clients are utilising our support and that within the wider community.
We love the ’10 keys to happier living’ as a model to think about how to look after ourselves and others.
Warren Trunchion – Service Manager:
“Our mental health and wellbeing should always be a priority and not just during this week. Over recent years we have all been forced to address social isolation and the impact this has on our wellness. Although we are now interacting with others more freely, being in the presence of others doesn’t simply stop feelings of loneliness. We are committed to promoting positive employment, health and wellbeing for a better future”
Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:
“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic. “Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.