Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
#IveBeenThere
Photo by John Cameron.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, join us on a journey to look inwards; to soothe what we so often neglect. Through the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to forget to check in with ourselves, so we’re taking this opportunity to breathe and re-set. How do you feel today?
What does mental health really mean?
Sometimes described as emotional or psychological wellbeing, our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It’s more than simply the absence of mental disorders, and it’s determined by a range of socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors. The World Health Organisation states that when we’re mentally healthy, we’re able to realise our own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make positive contributions to our communities.
When we’re struggling with our mental health, even basic daily tasks can feel impossible. Unfortunately, mental health problems are common, the most common being anxiety and depression. The Mental Health Foundation states that in the UK, one in six adults and one in eight 5-19 year-olds meet the criteria for a common mental health problem every week. Mental health problems are the largest contributor to ill-health, and suicide is the leading cause of death in both men and women between the ages of 15-35. When fewer than one in eight adults say they are thriving, where are we going wrong?
While this does mean that if you’re struggling with your mental health right now, you’re absolutely not alone – it also means that there’s something very wrong with the ways in which our society is structured. Because of this, mental health problems are on the rise, especially amongst young people.
It’s important to look after our mental health, just like our physical health, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Real life events and living standards have real effects on our mental health, and often, these realities can’t simply be wished away with positive thinking. The impacts of social media, worries about the cost of living, future prospects in the job market or on the property ladder, the climate crisis, and the pandemic have all taken their toll, and that’s before we even get into people’s personal circumstances. This is all alongside continuous funding cuts to mental health services and the NHS in the UK.
With all this doom and gloom, it’s crucial to check-in on ourselves and our loved ones, be kind to one another, and raise awareness – that’s what this week is all about.
Photo by Clay Banks.
Photo by Finn.
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Founded by the Mental Health Foundation, the annual awareness week has been used to draw attention to important issues surrounding mental health for the past 21 years. This year, Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK is 9-15 May.
The Mental Health Foundation keeps prevention at the core of its aims: by finding and addressing the sources of mental health problems, the foundation wants to help people and communities to thrive. They take a public mental health approach to prevention, finding solutions for individuals, those at risk, and for society, which means that they don't only focus on individual actions and steps – instead, they look at both the personal and societal changes that can improve and protect everyone’s mental health.
Photo by John Cameron.
Loneliness (#IveBeenThere)
Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on a different theme. Past themes have included nature and mental health, kindness, and body image. As we move out of lockdowns and begin to live our lives in the new landscape we find ourselves in ‘post’-pandemic, this year’s theme is crucial – so let’s take some time to think about loneliness.
Loneliness can be really hard to talk about – it can be daunting, and you might worry about being judged or feeling like a burden. It’s commonly described as the feeling of lacking social contact and relationships, but loneliness is not always the same as being alone. It’s possible to feel content in your own company, and you may choose to live alone happily – while others might find this experience lonely. Or, you might have plenty of social contact with friends, family, and relationships, but still feel lonely – especially if you don't feel like the people around you understand you or care for you.
As the mental health charity Mind suggests, research has indicated that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress. Feeling lonely for a long time can lead to a negative spiral: loneliness makes it more difficult to connect with others, which can lead to a fear of social situations, which leads to further loneliness.
While anyone can feel lonely every now and then, certain risk factors increase our chances of severe and lasting loneliness that can affect our mental health. These include being widowed, being unemployed, having a long-term health condition or disability, living in rented accommodation, being between 16-24 years old, being from an ethnic minority community, being a carer, and being LGBTQ+. This shows how our mental health can be affected by external factors which are out of our control.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:
Loneliness deserves more attention and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences. We must work together - as individuals, as a society and through government policy - to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.
Photo by Dustin Belt.
How can I combat loneliness right now?
Take some time to concentrate on self-love.
It’s okay to spend some time alone – in fact, it can be really beneficial to learn more about ourselves. The more comfortable we can feel by ourselves, the more time we can spend doing things we enjoy. This is great for boosting confidence – don’t be afraid to take yourself out on a solo date to the cinema, or to see some live music! Meditation and yoga are also great tools to look inwards and get to know ourselves and our needs.
Express your feelings.
Having a creative outlet can do wonders for your wellbeing. This could take the form of anything from painting, scrapbooking, making music, taking photos, writing, and more. Writing in a journal is a good way to express your feelings, even if you don’t feel as though you have anyone close to talk to right now. It can help you to help clear the mind, and to track your thoughts and feelings over time. Sport and physical activity are also great for self expression and a good bit of catharsis.
Reach outside of your comfort zone.
Sometimes, to break patterns, we need to break outside of our comfort zone. You don’t need to be good at something to give it a go and have fun, so why not take a look at some local clubs to join? Practising a regular hobby with other people can help you build new friendships and have fun, and it’s likely that you’ll find people who are friendly and welcoming, even if it’s nerve-wracking at the start. Another way to make new friends is to try volunteering: this way, you can learn a new skill and give back to your community, while also feeling good about yourself alongside like minded people.
Reach out if you’re struggling.
If you’re struggling with loneliness and mental health, there is support available for you. Speak to someone you trust, like friends or family members. You can also speak to your GP about how you’re feeling, and the mental health charity Young Minds have compiled some advice for how to do so. Your GP can listen, tell you about local services and support groups, or they may suggest specific treatment for the way you’re feeling.
For more ideas, you can read the Mental Health Foundation’s 15 things to do if you’re feeling lonely, and Mind’s tips to manage loneliness.
How can I get involved this week?
If you’re feeling motivated, here are some ways you can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week this year:
Share your experiences of loneliness on social media to support others and drive the momentum of the campaign using the hashtag #IveBeenThere
Sign up to walk, run or job as part of the 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using the hashtags #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Join the conversation on social media using the #IveBeenThere and #MentalHealthAwareness hashtags
Find more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week here.
