It is the end of Mental Health Awareness Week – let’s talk about it!

Mental Health Awareness Week is all about raising awareness for mental health conditions, reducing stigma around the signs and symptoms, and working towards better help and support for those who suffer from mental health conditions.

With 1 in 6 people above the age of 16 suffering from symptoms of common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and much more, it is more important now than ever to focus on raising awareness for the symptoms of mental health conditions, and reducing stereotypes and discrimination against those who suffer with their mental health.

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week, please visit their website here.

What do we do for mental health awareness?

Here at Homecarers, we have multiple different support systems and events which help support our staff members with their mental wellbeing:

1. Feel-good Fridays – Every week, we hold 10-minute meditation/yoga sessions in our head office to allow our office staff to get moving and rewind.
2. 1-1 Sessions – Regular sessions with our care staff and their line manager to address any concerns they may have.
3. Mental health catch-ups – On the last Friday of every week, our Mental Health First Aider, Debbie, holds monthly catch-ups over a tea or coffee to give our staff the opportunity to talk about whatever is on their mind.
4. TELUS Health – our fantastic employee assistance programme offers our staff 5 FREE counselling sessions for friends and family, along with a range of mental wellbeing resources.
5. The Care Workers Charity – The charity offers 10 FREE counselling sessions to those working in the Health & Social Care sector.
6. Well-being surveys – We also send out regular staff well-being surveys to all of our staff members to address any concerns, and ensure that our staff always feel supported and listened to by their line manager.

By incorporating all of these support systems, this allows us to improve the well-being of all of our staff members to ensure that they are always supported all year round, and not just during Mental Health Awareness Week.

We also provide a range of services for our service users which help support their mental well-being and promote independence, including specialist dementia and end-of-life care. For more information about what services we offer, please click here.

What can I do for mental health awareness?

Whether you suffer from a mental health condition yourself (such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar etc), or know someone who does, it is important that we are all working together to raise awareness for mental health and reduce stigma for the signs and symptoms.

1. Challenge misconceptions about mental health conditions – if someone assumes something about a certain mental health condition which is false information, it is important to challenge this and correct the person with providing the correct information.
2. Take part in a fundraiser – taking part in a fundraiser (whether this is alone or with a group) is a fantastic way to raise awareness for mental health conditions. Charities you can fundraise for, but are not limited to, include: Mind UK, Combat Stress, Mental Health Foundation, Samaritans and Rethink.
3. Listen – listening to someone can be the biggest help when it comes to mental health. You don’t have to provide advice, but by listening to a loved one’s problems, this may help them understand they are supported and understood.
4. Research – if you are unsure about a certain mental health condition, or would like to learn more about how to support someone you love who is suffering with their mental health, research into their specific condition and familiarise yourself with signs, symptoms and treatment available.

Where do I go if I need urgent help with my mental health?

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or is having suicidal thoughts, please call Samaritans on 116 123 immediately. This is a free phoneline which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – please do not suffer alone.

Let’s raise awareness for mental health together!