Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week, with the theme of Action, because awareness is vital, but action creates real change.
There are many ways in which you can participate in Mental Health Awareness week, but before we look into that, let's have a look at how Mental Health Awareness week was created and what it is.
The Mental Health Foundation was created in 1949 to address the imbalance in physical and mental health, with a focus on social circumstances and trauma in mental health. From then till now, The Mental Health Foundation has gone from stride to stride by using social research to address mental health problems, launching The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, which is the largest of its kind, beginning a long-term ground breaking research into how COVID affected people's mental health and has published a report setting out the economic case for the prevention of mental health conditions.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event which allows the UK to focus on and raise awareness about good mental health. The event began in 2001 and has become a vital part of the charity's work by setting up the theme, dates and activities for the week.
Here are a few ways to get involved.
Wear it Green Day
Wear it Green Day helps to spread awareness and support for mental health, it shows the importance of mental well-being, solidarity with those who are struggling and encourages conversations. Participate in Wear it Green Day by simply wearing green, it could be a t-shirt, socks or a green ribbon! You could also organise a Wear it Green Day at work or school, maybe make it into a bake sale?
Any donations will be used for research into mental health research programs and services to make a difference. Wear it Green Day is held on Thursday, 14th May; however, you can host the event year-round.
Click Here for resources.
Become a Workplace Partner
By becoming a Workplace Partner, you can show your organisation's commitment to supporting mental health and engage your team by using resources and events. If you sign up, you can receive wellbeing resources to support your team's mental health, a Wear It Green Day Fundraising pack including ideas and materials and a discount on merchandise, including the green pin badge and mental health guides.
Click Here to sign up
Sign up for a Skydive?
If you're feeling adventurous, why not raise money by taking part in a skydive? Sign up for £35 and help to raise a minimum of £395 for the Mental Health Foundation. If you can’t take part next week, you are more than welcome to raise money via skydiving throughout the year. It’s a great way to tick something off the bucket list while also raising money for a great cause.
Click Here to learn more.
We hope you learned something about Mental Health Awareness Week and feel encouraged to get involved with the events that the foundation has organised.