This year Mental Health Awareness Week will run from Monday 10th to Sunday 16th May and the theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Reconnect with nature’. During the pandemic many people explored green spaces they were not previously aware of and lots of people found solace in spending time in nature over what has been a very difficult 12 months. This is why the Mental Health Foundation decided that it was only fitting for the theme of this year’s campaign to be about enjoying the benefits of spending time in nature.
Getting out into nature in Hounslow
There are various ways in which you get out and about into Hounslow’s green spaces and make the most of being outside this spring and summer after having to spend so many days at home during lockdown:
- Local Parks – Hounslow has many parks and open spaces across the borough. Find your nearest park
- Let’s Go Outside and Learn – this is a local organisation that connects communities with the nature on their doorstep. You can find lots of regular activities on their website.
- Hounslow Green Gym – Hounslow Green Gym is a conservation volunteering organisation that meet regularly to look after green spaces across Hounslow. A great way to reconnect with nature.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing
As well as encouraging people to reconnect with nature Mental Health UK is also encouraging people to immerse themselves in the 5 Ways to Wellbeing for Mental Health Awareness Week. The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are:
- Connect – making time to speak to the people in your life and also make new connections. See our Connect More page for ideas.
- Be Active – regular physical activity of any kind is associated with a boost in mood as feel good hormones are released when you get active. Visit our ‘Move More’ page for ideas.
- Take Notice – this means being present to the world around us and mindful of how we are feeling and what we are doing. It can also be helpful to take stock at the end of each day to help us prepare for the next day.
- Keep Learning – Learning new skills is good for your brain and can feel very rewarding. This could be something as simple taking on extra responsibilities at work or it could be rediscovering an old hobby or exploring a new one.
- Give – Giving can mean giving time, for example volunteering with local organisations, but it can also mean just helping a neighbour or checking in on someone to make sure they are OK. Many people enjoy giving their time to support others because of the feeling of wellbeing this gives them.
Every Mind Matters
Visit our Every Mind Matters page to get your very own ‘Mind Plan’ which provides simple steps you can take to look after your mental wellbeing.
You can also find some very helpful advice by visiting the NHS Every Mind Matters page.
Mental Health and wellbeing support in Hounslow
The last 12 months have been difficult for everyone, but especially difficult for some people and this is why mental health services are now very much in demand.
If you feel that you or someone close to you would benefit from support with their mental wellbeing then Hounslow Council has a list of Mental health and wellbeing services Also, West London NHS Trust provides talking therapies for adults through their IAPT service for issues such as stress, anxiety and depression.
There is also a Hounslow Youth Counselling Service which provides free, confidential counselling for young people aged between 11 and 25 years of age.
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