Ways to support mental health with kindness
This year Mental Health Awareness week runs from 18th – 24th May 2020 and the topic is kindness.
Mental health problems can affect anyone, at any time. And mental health is everyone’s business.Their annual campaign reaches millions of people every year. This year, with your support, The Mental Health Foundation wants to reach more people than ever.
Why kindness?
One thing that we have seen all over the world is that kindness is prevailing in uncertain times. We have learnt that amid the fear, there is also community, support and hope.
Kindness could transform our schools, places of work, communities and families. Let’s shape a society that tips the balance in favour of good mental health, for all of us, but especially for those who are most vulnerable.
The added benefit of helping others is that it is good for our own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress and improve your emotional wellbeing.
How to get involved
Download the Support pack here. If you have a business or on your own social media pages you can download the graphics here to show your support. During the week, carry out or reflect on an act of kindness. Take a photo or video (with permission!) and use the hashtags:
#KindnessMatters #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Random Acts of Kindness – Doing Good Feed Good
One thing that we have seen all over the world is that kindness is prevailing in uncertain times. People are coming together to sing on balconies, setting up groups to offer support to the elderly or vulnerable, collecting groceries or calling neighbours for a chat.
Evidence shows that helping others is actually beneficial for your own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress, improve your emotional wellbeing and even benefit your physical health. See more here
Here are just a few examples of random acts of kindness you can do suggested by The Mental Health Foundation. All simple and easy but can make such a difference!
- Arrange to have a cup of tea and virtual catch up with someone you know
- Help with a household chore at home (note to my kids)
- Arrange to watch a film at the same time as a friend and video call
- Send a motivational text to a friend who is struggling
- Send an inspirational quote to a friend
- Contact someone you haven’t seen in a while and arrange a phone catch up
- Reach out to call a friend, family member or neighbour who is experiencing loneliness or self-isolation
- Lend your ear – call a colleague and ask how they’re finding the change in routine
- Donate to foodbanks
- Offer to skill share with a friend via video call – you could teach guitar, dance etc.
- Offer support to vulnerable neighbours
- Offer to send someone a takeaway or a meal
New Mindfulness App Launched by Stephen Fry for Mental Well Being
A brand new mindfulness experience to help pre-schoolers with their mental health and wellbeing has joined the CBeebies Go Explore app!
Called Your Mindful Garden…
Developed with the help of a mindfulness expert, Your Mindful Garden teaches valuable techniques to help children de-stress and unwind – useful skills both in these tough times and for later in life.
Voiced by actor, writer and comedian Stephen Fry, Your Mindful Garden introduces a range of mindful activities to children in a fun and simple way.
Creating a daily mindful routine
Your Mindful Garden gives children three daily activities to complete, each one addressing a different aspect of mindfulness: focus, creative and calm. After playing they get a reward for their special mindfulness tree, which will then go to sleep ready to wake for the next day’s session.
Send A Quentin Blake’s Free Rainbow E-Cards to say Hello!
The master that is Quentin Blake has made a set of colourful e-cards, guaranteed to bring a little joy to loved ones you’re isolated from.
The rainbow theme is always cheerful but it has extra resonance now. “As I know that people have been putting rainbows into their windows to express optimism and solidarity I took the liberty of borrowing them,” explains Blake.
Why not send one yourself!