How access to nature can support our mental health
10 May 2021
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme is nature and the environment. The evidence is clear that access to nature is crucial for our mental health, and millions of people discovered that during lockdowns in 2020.
This year, The Mental Health Foundation are inviting you to immerse yourself in the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’, while reconnecting with nature across the week.
Connect
Be active
Take notice
Learn
Give
There’s a lot of good research to support the role nature can play in protecting and supporting our mental health during challenging emotional journeys such as divorce, a family breakdown or loss of a loved one.
For many of us though, being at one with nature’ may not be as simple as it sounds. The good news is, you don’t have to climb a mountain or trek across the artic to feel the benefits.
Click here for some top tips and ideas from The Mental Health Foundation on how you can build your own connection with nature. From exercise and protecting wildlife to getting creative outdoors, there are lots of simple ways to bring nature into your everyday life.
If you are struggling with your mental health or you are concerned about a family member, friend or neighbour, these mental health websites, helplines and support groups can offer expert advice:
MENTAL HEALTH UK
A charity supporting people throughout the UK via four national charities, they also offer online services to help you manage your mental health
ANXIETY UK
Charity providing support whether you have anxiety, stress, anxiety-based depression or a phobia that’s affecting your daily life. They offer support from an expert team of medical advisors.
03444 775 774 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-8pm)
BIPOLAR UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
0800 585858 (daily, 5pm-midnight)
MEN’S HEALTH FORUM
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health
problems or learning disabilities
MIND
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)
NO PANIC
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD
0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am-10pm)
OCD UK
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
0333 212 7890 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society. Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
0800 068 4141 (Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm, & 2pm-10pm on
weekends)
RETHINK MENTAL ILLNES S
0300 5000 927 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm)
SANE
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
Textcare: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm-10.30pm)
YOUNGMINDS
A charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
0808 802 5544 Parents’ helpline (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4pm)
Sinclair Law have highly skilled, approachable and empathetic solicitors who are resolution trained in collaborative law.
Court is not always the right forum for separating families to find a way forward and we will steadfastly work to avoid Court proceedings where possible. Our lawyers work sympathetically with clients to enable them to resolve disputes, preferably outside of the traditional court system, to avoid damage to the family and help protect the mental health of all involved.
For a free 30 minute consultation with an expert, empathetic lawyer please request an appointment via the website or call 01625 526 222.