Hi everyone,
Hope you are all well and enjoying the sunnier, brighter days. We are pleased to be joining the Mental Health Foundation in promoting Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 this week, amongst our asphaleia community!
We all seem to be more in touch with nature following the pandemic having experienced the world slowing down and appreciating the natural things in our lives.
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is #ConnectWithNature as it has been such a positive source for many of us throughout the pandemic.
why nature?
Spending time in nature encourages us to slow down. It also helps us reflect on what is important and calm our thoughts.
Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world. For most of human history, we lived as part of nature. It is only in the last five generations that so many of us have lived and worked in a context that is largely separated from nature. Source: Mental Health Foundation
According to the Mental Health Foundation, teenagers are particularly disconnected from nature.
what is going to happen during the week?
The Mental Health Foundation will be sharing lots of content about the benefits of connecting with nature on your mental health.
We will pull together the evidence that demonstrates the powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. We will look at nature’s unique ability to not only bring consolation in times of stress, but also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder.
It turns out that it is not just being in nature but how we open ourselves up and interact with nature that counts.
We will show that even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress. Source: Mental Health Foundation
At asphaleia, myself and our comms lead, Jeni, have come up with some activities that our young people, staff, and followers can do to connect with nature to benefit their mental health.
See the posters below for the activities that we will also be sharing on social media. If you do any of them and post photos on social media, please use the hashtag #asphaleiaMHAW21 as well as the campaign hashtags, #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
Wishing you a great week this week as you connect with nature!
This content is general information only, not advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, please contact a mental health professional or contact the Samaritans.