Let's Connect
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place each year and aims to shine the spotlight on mental health across all aspects of life.
The official theme this year is ‘loneliness’ and this week from the 9th-16th May, we are being encouraged to build meaningful connections with friends, family, colleagues and communities.
What causes loneliness?
Loneliness has many different causes, which vary from person to person. For some people, certain life events may mean they feel lonely, such as experiencing a bereavement or going through a relationship break-up. Other people find they feel lonely at certain times of the year, such as around Christmas. For others it could be money worries that causes the feelings of loneliness to kick in.
Leading Mental Health Charity Mind UK says: We all feel lonely from time to time. Feelings of loneliness are personal, so everyone's experience of loneliness will be different. Loneliness is not always the same as being alone. You may choose to be alone and live happily without much contact with other people, while others may find this a lonely experience. Or you might have lots of social contact, or be in a relationship or part of a family, and still feel lonely – especially if you don't feel understood or cared for by the people around you. We don't always understand what it is about an experience that makes us feel lonely.
Stay connected
Making connections and staying connected can really make the difference if you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness.
Aim to connect with the important people in your life regularly. Sometimes a quick text can seem like the easiest way to connect, but don’t underestimate the power of hearing a loved one’s voice. Even a 10-minute call can help ease loneliness — for you and them.
Talk about it
Feelings of loneliness can happen to us all so never be afraid to speak up and let others know when you are struggling. Telling a friend, family member, colleague that you’re feeling lonely can not only help ease the stress of bottling up feelings, it can also make it easier to get the all important support you need to help you through your loneliness.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you or someone you know needs support for their mental health there is lots of support available from National and local charities.
Halton Housings Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Team. Money worries can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing, and increase the sense of loneliness if you feel you have nowhere to turn. If you’re a Halton Housing customer and you have money worries or you’re struggling to make ends meet, we’re here to help. Get in touch with one of the team as soon as you can and we can talk you through all your options.
Email: welfare@haltonhousing.co.uk
Call:
Mind Halton
Mind Halton is part of a network of over 100 Local Minds who tailor trusted mental health services to our communities. They offer a telephone listening service for anyone over 17 years and living in Halton, whose feelings of isolation and loneliness is affecting their mental health. Their listening service is person focussed and open ended to promote a relationship that is therapeutic and healing.
Also available through Mind Halton are counselling services, peer support and social groups.
Call: 01928 563612
Email: info@mindhalton.org.uk
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are there for anyone who needs someone. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to listen. No judgement. No pressure.
Call: 116 123 (Open 24 hours)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Urgent help
For urgent medical attention for yourself or someone else, call 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
