To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, which took place on Monday 9 May–Sunday 15 May, North and South Lanarkshire health and social care partnerships and Stigma Free Lanarkshire put together a variety of podcasts to look at how we create the conditions for a mentally healthy Lanarkshire through recovery from the pandemic.
Taking part in the podcasts from NHS Lanarkshire were Soumen Sengupta, director of health and social care for South Lanarkshire, and Ross McGuffie, chief officer, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, and can be accessed on Elament’s website.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week was loneliness, where the week explored the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
Jenny Hutton, mental health improvement programme manager, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “As the world opens up again and as we learn to live with Covid, we’ll all experience a myriad of feelings. Perhaps nervousness and fear, perhaps joy and excitement, perhaps anger. Many of us are still struggling to come to terms with the losses the last few years have brought. The value of a listening ear and a catch-up, being able to express what’s inside and have someone validate and understand can never be underestimated.
“If you are struggling with your mental health or with some of the other big issues facing us right now, such as the cost of living, please do reach out. We also know that the stigma of mental health, including the perceptions we have of ourselves, can stop people seeking help at a time when they need it most. Help is at hand and talking really does help.”
Mental Health Foundation Resources
Mental Health Foundation has an extensive list of publications that can support with mental health and wellbeing, in particular, the Mental Health Foundation ‘How to…’ guides which look at a range of topics such as:
- How to look after your mental health
- How to support mental health at work
- How to overcome fear and anxiety
- How to look after your mental health using mindfulness
What to do if you are feeling lonely:
- Try calling a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor to talk about your feelings;
- You could also contact Samaritans on freephone 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to;
- Join an online group or class that focuses on something you enjoy. It could be an exercise class, book club or art class;
- Try getting out into nature if you can do so safely. Connecting with the outside world can boost your mental health and wellbeing.
