Mental Health Awareness Day

This year’s theme is suicide prevention.

As a society we are getting so much better at opening a dialogue, but it is still so important to speak up if you are struggling with your mental health! Mental health is something that affects us all at some point (either personally or through a family member or friend) and the statistics speak for themselves—1 in 6 adults will experience a common mental health issue every week. It’s so encouraging that even celebrities are opening up about their personal struggles—Fearne Cotton’s mental health podcast ‘Happy Place’ is a prime example with nearly 1 million subscribers! We want to keep this momentum going and continue the discussion to lessen the stigma surrounding mental health, after all we all know how to keep our bodies healthy, it’s just as important to take care of our minds! 

How can we help others with promoting good mental health?

The main way to help someone struggling with their mental health is to start an honest discussion with the promise of no judgment! Let the person lead and offer support by just listening and being there, promoting positive wellbeing, and offering to accompany them should they wish to see a professional (know your own limits).

Some signs to look out for:

• Low confidence
• Loss of appetite
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Tiredness
• Tearful and nervous
• Breathlessness

Promoting positive wellbeing

A fantastic way we can all help is by looking after our own wellbeing and that of those around us! Self-care is a crucial part of encouraging a positive outlook. This can be as simple as taking some time each day to practice some breathing techniques, taking up a hobby you enjoy, listening to some meditative music or having a relaxing bath etc. Diet and exercise are scientifically proven to improve mental health—this doesn’t have to be anything strenuous, just a 30 minute walk can make a big difference!

  How Mane support our staff

• We have several assigned mental health first aiders
• Mane operate an open door policy, encouraging staff to make it known if they are feeling under pressure
• Each member of staff have their own wellbeing box filled with items that promote stress relief and self-care such as facemasks and calming spray
• Staff have access to the Lifeworks app and are able to make the most of the wellbeing section, which even includes a helpline.