Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 is being hosted by the Mental Health Foundation from 18th to 24th May with a theme of kindness. But what does awareness really mean and how can we engage with it?

One of the main messages of awareness initiatives is that mental health is everyone’s business, whether things are going well for us, or we’re struggling. Being able to talk about wellbeing, openly and without judgement, would mean that mental health becomes less stigmatised and that more people feel empowered to make changes or explore support options. This is even more important during times like this, when we are having to adapt to new ways of living amidst a global health crisis. The theme of kindness is particularly apt for this year too, highlighting communal aspects of wellbeing and our shared potential to build resilience, harness resources and promote recovery from trauma. Kindness, however, is not just what we give to others, but also something we can (and should) reserve for ourselves. 

So, if you’re a person, this Mental Health Awareness week is for you. It’s an opportunity to start talking openly about wellbeing with others. If you’re not actually feeling fine, why not reply honestly if someone asks? It’s ok to say that all is not well if it isn’t. And if you’re not really sure about how you're feeling, this week is an opportunity to check in with yourself too and be honest with yourself about how you really are.

So, how are you feeling?

For some of us, this will be a question we can answer easily. For others of us, this might be something we haven't really thought about before, or something we’ve found difficult. For all those who find it natural to notice their feelings, there will be numerous other people who may have to make this more of a conscious effort. You might need to set aside some time in a calm, quite space to reflect on any emotions that come to mind. Using daily check in prompts, journaling, or even trying some artwork might help you connect with your inner world. If naming emotions is difficult, try using a feelings wheel, or thinking about any physical sensations in your body that might give you a clue. Perhaps your breathing is regular and your muscles relaxed, indicating contentment. Or maybe your stomach is squirming with worry, fear or anxiety. 

Then what do you do?

It might take some trial and error to find out what you want to do with these feelings. If it’s ok to have them around, you might not want to do much at all. Even if it’s not ok really, you might still want to accept them rather than fight them. It’s worth taking a minute to try and think about what the feelings are trying to communicate to you. Emotions tend to come and go naturally and sometimes it might be more unhelpful to try and push them away, or avoid them, especially if they are trying to tell you something important. Finding ways to sit with feelings, or to carry on with your life in a meaningful way despite them might be just as helpful (if not more so) than trying to find ways to change them. 

If they’re too uncomfortable, however, or you would like to take action, have a think about what might be useful. Perhaps distraction could help take your mind off of worries for a bit, or an enjoyable activity could life your mood. It might be that some time to yourself could help you recuperate and de-stress, or maybe a Zoom call with loved ones would provide some much needed comfort or humour. Perhaps there’s something practical you could do, like focusing on healthy eating and sleeping habits, making a plan for something you’re worried about, or even seeking further support from your GP where necessary.

Whatever actions you make, big or small, remember that change is hard and it might take a bit of time to even build up motivation to try something out. The key thing though, is that by trying to acknowledge how you feel, you have taken the first step to improving your wellbeing, something that is possible for all of us regardless of where we started. And now you’ve taken this first step - share it! Help spread the word that we need to start having more open conversations about wellbeing with ourselves and our loved ones. 

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