Mental Health Foundation

Today is a good day to check in on a friend, family member or colleague. 💜 Want to talk? These UK helplines are here to listen and support you. Samaritans - 116 123 (always open) Campaign Against Living Miserably - 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight) Shout UK - text SHOUT to 85258 Mind - 0300 102 1234 (9am-6pm weekdays) It's #TimeToTalk - Rethink Mental Illness Mind

Many parents struggle with their mental health, which can also affect their children. That’s why we take a whole family approach in our new project, Family Zone, supporting families with a parent struggling with their mental health. Our peer support groups bring together families where parents can connect and feel less alone, while providing a space for children to learn more creatively about mental health and build on their resilience. Families have found that these groups have helped to taken away the stigma that was attached to the poor mental health they were experiencing. Find out more about our work with families: https://bit.ly/4hCV13x #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #WholeFamily

People who are kind and compassionate experience clear benefits to their wellbeing and happiness. Kindness helps to reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing. It can also boost our mood and self-esteem, and strengthen our social connections and sense of belonging. Kindness should be built into business decisions, government policy, and other official systems in a way that supports everyone’s mental health and also reduces discrimination and inequality. That can start with individual commitments to showing kindness in our words and our actions. Read more about why kindness matters: https://bit.ly/42Eox4v

Today is parent mental health day! Starting or extending a family is a huge milestone, but can also be a time that affects our mental health in a lot of different ways, with changes to our routines, social circles, finances, and physical health. As children grow up mental health issues can affect parenting day to day, and aspects of parenting can cause anxiety and stress. It can be hard to seek help as a parent. You might worry about being judged or tell yourself you have to keep going on your own. While connection can be hard to find, it's a vital part of coping. In our new blog, Small Talk Programme manager Gillian shares how she coped after the birth of her two children; through finding a community that cared. She shares how feelings of failure gave way when she found spaces of understanding and acceptance, and her hope for all parents is to find this kind of belonging. Read more from Gillian here: https://bit.ly/3CuPq0o

One of the most important things we can do to help protect our mental health is to get regular movement. Even short bursts of movement can boost our mood and our energy. It doesn't have to be intense, even gentle movement can make us feel better in our bodies, reduce stress and anxiety, and help us sleep better. It can be hard to stay active, especially if we're having a tough time with our mental health. If you're struggling with motivation, look at movement like self-care, practice kindness, and look for the small wins. 💜🏅

Being part of a safe, positive community is important for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose. That's why for Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May) we'll be celebrating the power and importance of community. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3PQ6PDG

It’s been a tough week for lots of us, but we’re particularly aware how tough it’s been for those of us in the LGBTQIA+ community this week. We know this won’t solve everything, but in times like this we want you to know that we see you, you are valid, and you are loved. You are part of a community that spans the globe, which has always been here and always will be here. Whoever you are, and however you identify, the Mental Health Foundation, and the organisations we’ve shared the details of in our post, are always here for you, no matter what. #LGBTQ+

Alcohol can affect our mental health, both in the short and long term. Drinking too much over a long period can increase the risk of mental health problems, like anxiety and depression. So, we may experience some benefits for our mental health when we reduce or stop drinking - whether that's for Dry January, or any other time. Read more about the link between alcohol and mental health: https://bit.ly/46J2mtf

January can be a challenging month financially, especially for people already struggling to manage debt. The pressure can be overwhelming, so it's important to show people they are not alone when dealing with debt. Unemployment and redundancy are the most common triggers for falling into debt. Other life changes like bereavement or relationship breakdown, as well as wider forces like the cost-of-living-crisis can also force people into debt. People dealing with debt can be left feeling anxious, isolated, and unable to do the things they enjoy. Rest and relaxation can feel impossible. This can create a cycle where financial worries affect our mental health, and poor mental health in turn makes it even harder to tackle the issue of debt. If you or someone you know is feeling the strain of debt, it's important to remember that the cycle can be broken, and no one needs to go through it alone. There are many organisations and support schemes that offer advice and practical solutions, so we can find our way through. Learn more about mental health and managing debt in our guide here: https://bit.ly/3ILMCv2

It's a Monday like any other... It might be a good day for your mental health, a tough day - or somewhere in between. Blue Monday was created to sell holidays. We don't need companies telling us how we should feel on any given day. Your mental health is personal. However you're feeling today, remember you and your mental health matter, every day of the year. 💜