By Megan Eccles
This year, come together with your community, friends and family to celebrate Mental Health Awareness week, which runs from the 9th to the 15th of May.
The theme this year is ‘Loneliness’ as it’s never been more important than ever to get together.
The pandemic saw loneliness reach an all-time high, with more and more people being secluded, but with everything mostly going back to normal, the only way is up and it’s time to stop loneliness.
Defining loneliness is difficult as some people define it differently, but one definition of loneliness is ‘the feeling we get when we need social contact and our relationships are not met.’
Some research done by Mind UK has also shown that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.
We have all felt lonely at some point in our life and someone you may know may be suffering in silence as it’s not fully talked about.
So reach out, connect with others and more importantly help to stop loneliness.
An event taking place in York this awareness week is the Sad Poets Doorstep Club. Taking place on Thursday 12th May, the poetry circle welcomes people to share their poetry or short stories in a supportive environment or to sit and listen. The main focus is on LGBT+ voices and mental health issues, but all are welcome. To register for this free event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sad-poets-doorstep-club-tickets-265117482527.
Fundraising Ideas:
- Sponsored silence.
- Coffee morning.
- Bake sale.
- Car wash.
- Non-uniform day.
- Car boot sale.
If you would like to receive a fundraising pack or get involved during Mental Health Awareness Week then head on over to www.yorkmind.org.uk.
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