2gether Focuses on Building Relationships For Mental Health Awareness Week

Activities are being held across Gloucestershire to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 2016.

The occasion – which runs from 16-22 May – is organised annually by the Mental Health Foundation. The theme of this year’s week is relationships.

2gether NHS Foundation Trust is working with a range of partners to support MHAW and is coordinating events to raise awareness of mental wellbeing, promote advice and highlight locally available support.

Gill Oxley, Social Inclusion Team Manager for 2gether, said: “We are pleased to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week again this year.

“While we work all year round to support people with mental health conditions, Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity for us to reach out to even more people.

“Quality relationships are essential for good mental health and we want to encourage people to think about the impact their relationships can have on their mental health. We also want to highlight how common mental health issues are, the steps we can take to improve our own mental wellbeing and the support that is available.

“One in four of us will be experiencing a mental health problem at any given time, with the most common issues including depression, stress and anxiety.

“We hope to be able to spread the message to our local communities that people do not need to struggle alone. There is lot we can all do to improve our mental health and help is available for anyone who needs it. We’re hoping to see a great turn out at all our events.”

The following events are planned in Gloucestershire:

• 10.30am-12.30pm, Monday 16 May – tackling stigma workshop and mental health awareness session with Sahara-Saheli women’s group in Cheltenham
• 10am-2.30pm, Tuesday 17 May – information bus in Cheltenham High Street, outside Marks and Spencer.
• 10.45am-12pm, Tuesday 17 May – interactive workshop on tackling stigma as part of International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia events being held by Cheltenham Borough Council.
• 8.30am-2.30pm, Wednesday 18 May – information bus outside Cirencester Leisure Centre.
• 10am-12pm Thursday 19 May – talk on mental health and autism with the ASD Service at the Main Place, Coleford.
• 1.30-3.30pm Thursday 19 May – talk on mental health and autism with the ASD Service at Gloucester Library.
• Saturday 21 May – participating in a recruitment drive for mental health professionals at the Emirates Stadium, London.

 

Our Let’s Talk service runs a number of free courses across both counties, which can help with different aspects of your mental health. To find out more about the courses on offer and to book ring: 0800 073 2200 or visit https://courses.talk2gether.nhs.uk/

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk