
Mental Health Awareness Month
&
Mental Health Awareness Week
This year the focus is centred around 'nature' and the effects that being outdoors and in nature has on improving our mental health. So why is nature the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021?
For many of us going on a daily walk had quickly become our only escape from inside our homes. with the rules and regulations surrounding lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions, many of us were suddenly shutoff from the world and for some going outside became more of a threat than ever before. With the new fear of catching the virus, many citizens who were identified as vulnerable became more and more increasingly isolated for their family and friends, leaving them more alone than ever before. For many the freedom of being able to go outside gave the opportunity for them to enjoy something and have a distraction from the ever growing worry and continuous threat of this new virus that was rapidly spreading across the country and the world. For some the joy or listening birds singing gave a sense of calmness and provided as much wanted and needed distraction and provided a happiness during these hard and scary times.
So the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week this year is Nature. It has been proven that spending some quality time in and with nature can lead to the reduction in stress, while balancing our mood and helping us to feel more positive. In order for us to really connect with nature, its important for us to switch on our senses and focus, whether thats noticing nature around us on a day walk, run or jog and even on or daily commutes to and from work, even as simple as listening to the birds throughout the day.

Nature and the effects on our Mental Health
Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that its nearly impossible to realise the importance that having a greater connection to the natural world is having on us all. For most of human history we have lived as part of and with nature. It has only been in the last five generations of the human species that we have begun working in context and environments that are largely separated from nature. After a study that had been conducted during the 1960s in the US, it had been found that patients who were treated in hospitals with a view of nature had recovered and were discharged faster, this led to the use of science to research and unpack the extraordinary health benefits of nature.
During this Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation are going to pull together all the evidence that demonstrates the powerful and increased benefits of nature and the effect its having on our mental health. they are planning to take a look at nature's unique ability to not only increase our creativity ad our sense of wonder but also having the unique ability to bring us consolation in times of stress, as it turns out that it is not just being in nature but how we open ourselves up and how we interact and connect with nature that counts. The Mental Health Foundation are planning to show that even the smallest amount of contact with nature can help in reduce the feelings of social isolation and how its effective in protecting our mental health and preventing distress. After all with nature being the greatest untapped resource available in aiding us and helping us to have mentally healthy futures.
Despite this being the effects that nature has on out mental healths, many of us are not even accessing or benefiting from nature. With teenagers being the main demographic group who particularly seem to be less connected with nature, more so with around 13% of UK households not having access to a garden. As a result, the Mental Health Foundation are wanting ti challenge the disparities in who can and can't experience nature, with the statement that 'Nature is not a luxury', and that it should be a resource that should and must be available for everyone to enjoy and that it should be as basic as having access to clean water and having a safe roof over our heads. The Mental Health Foundation believe that the local and national governments need to consider their roll in making access to nature a reality for everyone and they will be talking about how they can do so during the course of Mental Health Week.
The foundation have two main and clear aims in what they are hoping to achieve. Firstly, they are aiming to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, and aiming for them to notice the impact that this connection can have on their mental health. Secondly, they want to convince decision makers at all levels that having access to nature and spending quality time in nature is a mental health and social justice issue as well as an environmental one. They believe that 2021 is going to be a huge year for nature and with a new Environmental Bill going through the UK Parliament which will shape the natural world for generations to come. With the UK hosting the G7 nations where creating a greener future will be a key priority as well as a historic international UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) which is going to be hosted in Glasgow in November 2021, there could not be a more important time for us to understand the links between nature and our mental health.
So what can you do?
During this mental health week you can help in a variety of different ways. Sharing stories about your own experiences is one of the best ways to help have an influence on change, and by demonstrating and talking about the ways in which nature has had an impact on your mental health and how its brung about helping you to find solace and joy in your life. Without being able to demonstrate and prove this nature will remain very much an under-valued, under-utilised and under-appreciated resource. To help more, as well as sharing your stories and experiences with friends and relatives, you can also share them with The Mental Health Foundation. The Foundation are willing to and wanting to hear your stories of how nature has helped and supported your mental health. This can be something as simple as tending ti house plants, listening to the birds, smelling flowers and even writing poems about your favourite nature spots.
Whatever it is for you, The Mental Health Foundation and myself invite you to connect with nature by using the hashtag #ConnectWithNature and sharing what connecting with nature means for you.
Throughout the course of Mental Health Week the Mental Health Foundation are asking us to do three things, those being to experience nature, share nature and to talk about nature.
- Experience nature: Take time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the course of the week through taking a moment to notice and celebrate nature in our lives, with the concept that. we might be surprised by what we find and notice.
- Share nature: Take photos, videos or even sound recordings of nature and share the connections that you have made during the week, to inspire others. You can join in the discussion and show how you're connecting with nature by using the following hashtags. #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
- Talk about nature: Use The Mental Health Foundations tips, school packs, research and policy guides to discuss amongst your family and friends, within schools, your workplace and your local community. From doing this you can help to encourage other people to find new ways to connect with nature within your local environment and community.
For more information about this year's Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
'There is something to be wondered at in all of Nature' - Aristotle
Love all the information you’ve provided in this blog post. I can’t wait to help out and get involved. Just visited the Mental Health Foundations website and downloaded my journal. ❤️
ReplyDeleteHope using nature can help you
DeleteI’m so excited to get involved and explore more of nature 🤍
ReplyDeleteLove to hear how you are helping yourself this mental health awareness week and how nature has helped you
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