Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place this week (9-15th May) and this year explores the experience of loneliness and its effect on our mental health.
Loneliness affects millions of people every year and is one of the main causes of poor mental health. Recent research conducted by the UK Mental Health Foundation found that loneliness has been hugely exasperated by the pandemic. With long periods of isolation, the inability to connect with others and the loss of loved ones all having a devastating impact on that feeling of aloneness.
Although the week focuses on the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing, it is also an invaluable opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, and how we can all take practical steps to addressing it.
How entertainment and the arts can play a part in reducing loneliness in our community
Mental health awareness has grown considerably over the last several years, and there are now many channels, groups, and resources available to help those that are struggling.
However, sometimes the hardest part is speaking out – whether that be to a professional, to friends or loved ones. As the number of people with long-term mental health conditions increase, innovative, simple, and effective treatments are now needed more than ever.
Entertainment and the arts have an important role to play in this – by creating a special space for social interaction and learning, stimulating positive emotions, and generally contributing to a sense of wellbeing.
Enjoying live music, watching films, or attending the theatre can improve mood by stimulating positive emotions such as humour, can strengthen existing friendships – and help create new ones. The arts extend beyond film and music and includes many visual and performing arts such as craft, painting, dance, literature, singing and many more – engaging in such activities can enable people to express themselves in a non-verbal way, help them meet like-minded people, while also improving cognitive development.
The arts also help at a community level. Engaging with community entertainment events and arts activities can help with major mental health challenges, such as loneliness. First and foremost, it creates a positive social setting, where engagement and social interaction can thrive, it can help boost confidence and help individuals become more resilient of their mental health struggles as a result.
VillaGaiety and Mental Health Awareness Week
The week is an opportunity to focus on achieving good mental health and wellbeing and removing the stigma that still surrounds it, and with the help of local charity Isle Listen, VillaGaiety have organised an Isle Listen bucket collection during the performance of Milkshake! Live.
Milkshake! Monkey and his friends will be bringing the Gaiety Theatre stage to life on the 14th May, where there will be plenty of audience interaction, singing and dancing – and of course laughter for all the family!
VillaGaiety will also be showcasing several other family favourites throughout the week at both the Broadway Cinema and the Gaiety, including the Roald Dahl classic, The Witches, an amateur production by the Yn Draamey Youth Theatre Project on the 11th and 12th May.
Why not take this opportunity to enjoy some valuable time planning a trip with friends and loved ones to watch some wonderful live theatre on your doorstep?
An Isle Listen contactless donation terminal will be located at the Villa Marina Box Office for the duration of the week. Plus Isle Listen pin badges and wrist bands will also be available to buy from the Villa Marina Box Office, enabling you to show your support – all money raised goes to Isle Listen.
If you are struggling with your mental health
If you are or know of someone that is struggling with their mental health, there are many local and online resources available to help you take those first steps.
The Isle of Man Government Mental Health Service is available to residents who are affected by mental health, and embraces a holistic approach to wellness and wellbeing.
Local charity Isle Listen is an early intervention positive mental health initiative that highlights the importance of mental health via a range of mental health support services and training in the workplace, to families and within local schools.
There are many other local charitable initiatives in the Isle of Man that focus on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and supporting individuals who are looking for help, including REACH Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Samaritans.
UK charities, the UK Mental Health Foundation and Mind UK offer a variety of online support and resources, as well as many fundraising initiatives for this important cause.