This year the theme is Nature and how connecting with the natural world can support good mental health.
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 21st year and runs from 10-16 May.
The theme for this year is ‘Nature’ and across the country, people will be celebrating the mental health benefits of being around nature in their local community in a range of digital and creative ways.
Matrix Networks will be taking part by daily sharing tips with its employees which promote simple ways to support good mental health. And in line with this year’s theme, employees are being encouraged to share photos via an online platform, of anything in nature which inspires them – be it a sunrise on site, a bird in their garden, or maybe a photo taken on an evening walk.
Rob Sparkes, CEO, Matrix Networks Group, said: “Looking after your mental health is important and over the last 12 months we’ve all experienced that more than ever. As a business we already have our online mental health training modules, we’re part of the BUPA Healthy Minds programme and we employ an open door management policy, but we want to do everything we can to actively support the wellbeing of our employees.
“We’ve put just a few simple initiatives in place this week, but even through doing that, we hope our involvement will make a positive contribution towards raising awareness of mental health amongst our employees and the communities we interact with.”
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
- Use Mental Health Foundation resources in your family, school, workplace and community to join with thousands of people who will be finding new ways to connect with nature in their local environment.
For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek