Monday 9 May 2021: Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health.
The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 22nd year and runs from 9-15 May.
This year, the theme for the week is ‘Loneliness’. Across the country, people will be reflecting on loneliness and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Richard Hallsworth, Director at Nicholsons commented, “We’re committed to ensuring we create a work environment that supports our team members both professionally and personally. At Nicholsons, we have an ongoing commitment to initiatives that improve and benefit our team members’ lives, including (but not limited to) a recently created “quiet space”, paid time off to work in the community, as well as flexible and hybrid working which really helps our team find the right work/life balance.
The last couple of years has shown it’s vital that we find time to connect with each other, even if our workload tries to tell us otherwise, and Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time for people and businesses to reflect.”
Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:
“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic.
“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.
“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.”
Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week:
- During Mental Health Awareness Week use the hashtag #IveBeenThere to share experiences of loneliness to support others and give the campaign momentum.
- Sign up to walk, run or job as part of the 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
Find out more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.