We have all had to adapt to unprecedented conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, and there is no doubt this will have affected the mental health of many. This World Mental Health Day (WMHD), it is important for us all to talk about our mental health and look at what we can do better to look after ourselves and those around us. Ending the stigma around this topic is so important to ensure people can get the medical advice and appropriate support they need.
This Saturday, Thrive LDN is holding a virtual World Mental Health Day Festival between 12pm – 18.30pm. The programme has been developed with City Hall’s Peer Outreach Team to create a line-up of performances, panel discussions and workshops focussing on supporting young people to build resilience and promote positive wellbeing. The various online activities will offer a platform for young people to discuss the challenges faced during COVID-19 and explore experiences of inequality.
Three live workshops have been planned during the day including an interactive workshop with the team behind Kooth, singing ‘Live Again’ with Melissa James, and a spoken word poetry workshop with Write2Speak. For more information on these workshops, including how to register, please see - https://thriveldn.co.uk/campaigns/world-mental-health-day-2020/
It is important for all of us to look after our mental health as much as we take care of our physical health. Time to Change have conducted research suggesting the stigma around mental health prevents people from accessing support, finding employment, and having open conversations with their friends, family and colleagues. For more resources, please see - https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
Julia will be writing to the Minister responsible for mental health policy, Nadine Dorries MP, to highlight constituents’ experiences with accessing mental health support in Havering. Particularly, what more can be done to tackle the barriers preventing many from accessing this support and what provisions are in place for those who may just fall short of what providers consider the threshold for practical assistance. We will publish the Minister’s response once we have received it.
