Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), a provider of mental health and disability services, is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, which aims to drive conversations on mental health and create lasting change.
Taking place from 9th-15th May, the week is organised by the Mental Health Foundation. The theme for this year is loneliness, something all of us can experience at any time which can have a huge impact on our wellbeing.
The Mental Health Foundation found that many people have been suffering increasing feelings of loneliness. This is something many of us experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic and is still being felt by a number of us now.
James Duncan, Chief Executive at CNTW, said: “Mental health can affect anyone at any time, with one in four people experiencing problems with their mental health at some point in their lives.
“Loneliness can have a big impact on our mental health and by raising awareness of the affects, we can take steps to address it. We courage anyone who may be feeling lonely to the point where it is affecting their mental health to reach out to others to gain the support they need.”
If you’re feeling lonely, there are a number of ways to boost your wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Week:
- Be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you.
- Even the smallest act can count, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build social networks.
- Learning new skills can give a sense of achievement and a new confidence. Try online courses, start learning to play an instrument or a new language. This can also help you meet new people.
- Take a walk, cycle or do some exercise. Find the activity you enjoy and make it part of your routine.
- Connect with family and friends – give someone a call for a catch up.
You can find more support and advice on the Every Mind Matters – Loneliness webpage.