The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week on 10th 16th May is Nature Nature and our mental health Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it is almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world During Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, please ensure you are able to enjoy the powerful benefits of nature for you and your class’s mental health. It is not just being in nature but also how we interact with nature too. Even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress. Nature is a great untapped resource for a mentally healthy future. Despite this, many of us are not accessing or benefitting from nature. Teenagers, in particular, appear to be less connected with nature and around 13% of UK households have no access to a garden. Nature should not be a luxury. 2021 is going be a huge year for nature: a new Environment Bill will go through the UK Parliament which will shape the natural world for generations to come; the UK will host the G7 nations where creating a greener future will be a key priority and a historic international UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November. There could not be a more important time to understand the links between nature and mental health. The aims for the Mental Health Organisation during the week are:
- To inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, noticing the impact that this connection can have for their mental health.
- To convince decision makers at all levels that access to and quality of nature is a mental health and social justice issue as well as an environmental one.
What you can do with you:
- Experience nature: take time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the week. Take a moment to notice and celebrate nature in your daily life. You might be surprised by what you notice!
- Share nature: Take a photo, video or sound recording and share the connections you’ve made during the week, to inspire others. Join the discussion on how you’re connecting with nature by using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek – Send the photo’s in to share
- Talk about nature: use resources, research and policy guides to discuss with your family and community how we can all help encourage people to find new ways to connect with nature in your local environment.
| Nature and Mental Health – Mental Health Foundation #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek 2021Did you know that connecting with nature can be good for our mental health? This Mental Health Awareness Week we want to grow awareness of the role nature can play in preventing distress and creating good mental health for all. Find out more: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw. About Us: Since 1949, the Mental Health Foundation has been the …www.youtube.com |
Further resources can be found at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week?utm_source=ppc_google&utm_medium=paid_ads&utm_campaign=mhaw21_awareness&gclid=CjwKCAjw1uiEBhBzEiwAO9B_HZN6DpcTqA8wf84lDly4PbVxLLlehTo5hGThQDWtr-jFnO-KdkV_aRoCERIQAvD_BwE
| Mental Health Awareness Week 2021Our Chief Executive explains why we’ve chosen nature as the theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Our school pack will provide the materials and resources needed to support pupils to connect with nature in a meaningful way. We will send you updates about our work, campaigns, programmes …www.mentalhealth.org.uk |