Mental Health Awareness Week 10-16th May
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental health problems can affect anyone, at any time. We believe that mental health is everyone’s business (The Mental Health Foundation, MHF).
So, for one week each May, we campaign around a specific theme for Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme for 2021 is “Connect with Nature”.
‘There is something to be wondered at in all of Nature’ – Aristotle
Why Connect with Nature?
During long months of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature. Research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health. Websites which showed footage from webcams of wildlife saw hits increase by over 2000%. Wider studies also found that during lockdowns, people not only spent more time in nature but were noticing it more.
It was as if we were re-discovering at our most fragile point our fundamental human need to connect with nature.
Connecting with nature has powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. It can bring us consolation in times of stress, increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. Even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health and preventing distress.
Get Involved
Why not head over to our facebook page and start by:
- posting pictures of your favourite views from nature*
- posting pictures of you enjoying connecting with nature
- telling us how you feel after the experience…
- Do you feel a boost to your mental health and wellbeing? Perhaps you feel uplifted by the sounds and sights of spring, the birds singing out to one another and the flowers out in bloom after the long winter. Do you feel energised after a good stroll outdoors, or struck by wonder at the beauty of the sunset? Whichever it is, we’d like to hear about it.
- You can even join the virtual walking group and help encourage others to get outdoors.
Here are some brilliant Ted talks that you can watch that can help you to reconnect with nature.
