Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health, and I see Mental health Awareness Week as a great opportunity to acknowledge our health, and continue to open up the conversation about it. There is still so much stigma around mental health, but with increasing conversations around it that stigma is lessening.

There are many forms of mental illness, and this blog is not designed to belittle the complexity of that, moreover give an insight into the wellbeing side of mental health that will hopefully be relatable and useful to some of you reading.

For a few years, I struggled with depression, an illness I had previously never considered would be a part of my life. Despite it bringing me to my knees, I feel grateful to have made it through the other side with an increased awareness and humility that it really can affect anybody. Increasing awareness in the general public of mental health and mental illness means that we are more able to support those around us, and to understand what is going on within ourselves if we are, or become, ill.

I now focus a lot of my attention onto remaining physically and mentally well; something I had previously taken for granted, but now prioritise. I hope these tips help more people to do that too.

My mental wellbeing begins when I first wake up. I try to, every morning, make the first thing I do be to get outside into the fresh air and find some nature! This can be as simple as a patch of grass or a hedgerow; I normally take my cup of tea with me and find ways to be mindful. It is the most powerful, and possibly the simplest, tool I have. I wrote a blog about it for my friends at Klean Kanteen with more info and practicalities.

Below is a short video about how to connect with nature when walking. I made this for my friends at the Midcounties Co-op; the reference to a walking challenge is one their colleagues are taking on this Mental Health Awareness Week.

For me, connecting with nature is made all the more special by birds. I blooming love them. I never used to understand what the fuss was about, but watching them intently and mindfully is one of my life’s greatest joys. Honestly. I recommend just stopping and carefully watching them. The book Bird Therapy by Joe Harkness explains it more eloquently.

Kindness has a huge role to play in mental health - kindness towards our selves, and towards others. Here’s a video I made last year about just that.

Water is so powerful for my wellbeing, and being in, on or near water is proven to be beneficial for our mental health. I recommend the book Blue Mind by Wallace J Nichols. Check out our charity Seaful for more info about connecting with water.

Lastly, it’s important to say, if you are struggling with your mental health, even if you don’t quite understand what is going on, please seek help. There is so much help available, from your GP, to helplines like The Samaritans (Freephone 116 123). There is no shame in admitting you are struggling, and you don’t need to have reached certain levels of illness to be deserving of help. Please know there is help, and there is hope. Even just opening up to a friend or family member can be the first step on the path to wellness. And if somebody opens up to you about how they are feeling, please don’t judge them or try to ‘fix’ them. Please be a kind and patient ear for them to talk to, offer support and don’t make it about you. Offer them the space to speak. They might not be able to articulate how they feel initially, but just having somebody to trust and be there for them can be life changing.

I’m going to leave you with two of my favourite quotes:

“Everybody is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be Kind, Always.”

And

“In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind”