Mental Health Awareness Week is one of the most important weeks of the year.
In this blog, VillaGaiety takes a look at this year’s theme and what you can do during this very important week and implement in your life going forward.
During this pandemic, millions of people around the world have experienced a mental health problem or seen a loved one struggle. On the island, we've been in and out lockdowns over the past year, and the border restrictions, although necessary, have caused long periods of isolation, alongside the loss of loved ones which only adds to the struggle of coping with the uncertainty and anxiety of the past year. Every Mental Health Awareness Week is important, however, 2021 may seem particularly important and significant compared to the past.
What is the Theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021?
The theme for this year’s event is nature – something fitting, after a year where many of us have seen a lot more of our four walls in our homes than the four seasons. After months of the pandemic saw thousands of us facing very difficult and lonely lockdowns. As a result, many people turned to nature for a sense of comfort, in fact, research in the UK linked to the mental health impacts of the pandemic displayed that leaving your house to go out for long walks was one of the top coping strategies during the lockdowns.
As we enter spring and with the island recently exiting lockdown 3.0, we’re inviting you to reconnect with nature and the environment. We are mindful that everyone will be in a different place of comfort, so we’re asking you to do this in a way that works for you.
There’s a lot of good research to support the role nature can play in protecting and supporting our mental health. Nature can do so much more than provide comfort in times of stress and anxiety, but it can also increase creativity, empathy, and create a sense of wonder within the human mind. As an island, we are extremely lucky to have such a large amount of open space on our doorstep for us to enjoy nature.
What Can You Do During Mental Health Awareness Week 2021?
It is important to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways and realising the immense positive impact this connection can have on their mental health. mentalhealth.org.uk has a great article on top tips for connecting with nature to improve your mental health. From finding nature wherever you are, connecting with nature using all of your senses, getting out into nature, bringing nature to you, exercising in nature, combining nature with creativity, and protecting nature.
One of the best ways to connect with others and influence change is through effective storytelling. The best way to demonstrate the effect nature can have on someone’s mental health is by telling others the joy and solace it brings to our lives. Otherwise, it may remain not valued or utilised enough.
Another way to share your story of nature is by hashtagging #ConnectWithNature whilst sharing a picture or video of yourself outdoors and the effects it has on you. Get your stories out there on all social media platforms and create the awareness this important topic needs during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mental Health Services:
For anyone struggling, there are a range of mental health and wellbeing support services offered in a variety of ways. More information on support services available can be found here: