Mental Health Awareness Week began 21 years ago. It occurs annually and is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation lasting for one week with the aim to increase awareness of mental health issues with a focus on providing help and advice.

Many people struggling with their mental health do not know who to reach out to for help or are frightened to speak up for fear of judgement. The more we open the dialogue up for discussions of mental health issues, the more we can continue to break down these barriers.

Each year the focus of Mental Health Awareness Week is on a different theme and this year’s theme is loneliness. Loneliness affects many people and can have a huge impact on both physical health and mental wellbeing.

For many, the impact of the pandemic has meant that they have experienced increased loneliness and for others, this may have been the first time they have felt lonely. With restrictions lifting, perhaps it has been difficult to reintroduce activities or to start socialising again.

If you have reduced activity levels over the past two years or lost contact with friends, it can feel difficult to know where to begin when it comes to getting back to hobbies or socialising.

Start slowly, make a list of things you would like to start doing again or new hobbies you might like to try.

Is there a friend you can call on for a coffee or an exercise class you might like to try?

Are there any local groups in your area where you could meet new people?

 These things can help lift your mood and lessen feelings of loneliness.

There are also a number of groups and organisations that offer befriending services, here are just a few but it is also worth researching in your local area:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/

https://www.befriending.co.uk/about/find-a-befriender/

https://www.thebefriendingscheme.org.uk/

For more information on Mental Health Awareness week check out the Mental Health Foundation’s website https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk