The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year.
Each year 16 million people in the UK will experience a type of mental illness, from anxiety to depression.1 It’s an issue that needs awareness to eliminate the stigma associated to mental health. Accomplish this by talking to the people around you and find out if anything is troubling them and what you can do to help.
The World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) are celebrating 10 years of their fundraising initiative Tea & Talk which, encourages people to come together and talk about mental health. To register for your free downloadable pack click here
If you need additional mental health support or advice, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website www.samaritans.org.uk
Let’s get the #mentalhealthawarenessday conversation started and support each other.
1) Set time aside with no distractions
2) Let them share as much or as little as they want to
3) Don’t try to diagnose or second guess their feelings
4) Keep questions open ended
5) Talk about wellbeing
6) Listen carefully to what they tell you
7) Offer them help in seeking professional support and provide information on ways to do this
8) Know your limits