More than two years of the COVID pandemic has resulted in many people everywhere experiencing a significant increase in stress and a deterioration in their normal coping mechanisms. Major disruption to social lives and human contact, anxiety about COVID, travel restrictions and work/home schooling have all combined to take their toll on people, contributing to poor mental health.
As Reading learns to live with COVID, the council believes it is more important than ever to ensure people know where to turn for help and to empower residents to look for help they or those they love need.
The month-long campaign begins in national Mental Health Awareness Week whose theme this year is ‘Lift Someone out of Loneliness.’
Reading’s Compass Recovery College - local health and wellbeing organisation will be running social sessions everyone is welcome to; Coffee and Chat at The Biscuit Factory and Walk-Talk-Walk, a gentle walk around Palmer Park.
Dementia Awareness Week is 15-21 May and locally AgeUK Berkshire is hosting a Dementia Walk on Thursday 19 May around the pitch at Reading Football Club.
Week three will signpost to more specialised support; Breathing Space on Friar Street for out of hours mental health support for struggling individuals. And week four will raise awareness of Berkshire Suicide Prevention website launch - which will include invaluable support and resources.
Housing, leisure and parks information will also all feature, which can all contribute to positive wellbeing.
The final week runs into Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June - as well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers' wellbeing.
Throughout the month the campaign will additionally raise awareness of the Healthy Start Scheme for families; those more than 10 weeks pregnant and/or have a child under 4. Residents receiving benefits may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk and receive Healthy Start vitamins
Breathing Space
AgeUK Berkshire dementia walk, Thursday 19 May Reading FC, for more information email victoria.rowland@ageukberkshire.org.uk or call 0118 959 4242