Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK's national week to raise awareness of mental health, takes place from 10-16 May.

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the week is now in its 21^st year. In 2021 the theme is Nature.

There are proven benefits of being around nature on your mental health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many of us have turned to nature to help us get through lockdowns. Research by the Mental Health Foundation has shown that good mental health depends on us being able to connect with nature in some way and its power in both prevention of and recovery from poor mental health.

The HSCP recently resumed its Health Walks which were on hold during the pandemic. These weekly walks help locals not only get gentle exercise, but meet other locals and get outside for fresh air.

East Renfrewshire has a number of beautiful green spaces worth exploring. From Rouken Glen Park to Greenbank Gardens and Dams to Darnley Country Park to Neilston Pad - there's lots of places you can visit to connect with nature and take time for yourself.

Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week:

• Try to make a habit each day of connecting to the nature in your local area. Stop to listen to the birdsong, smell the freshly cut grass, take care of a house plant, notice any trees, flowers or animals nearby. Take a moment to appreciate these connections. 
• Share images/videos/or just sound recordings of the nature on your doorstep (and how this made you feel) on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
• Use Mental Health Foundation resources in your family, school, workplace and community to join with thousands of people who will be finding new ways to connect with nature in their local environment.

For more information about this year's Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Residents struggling with the mental health are encouraged to speak to their GP or a organisation like Samaritans