Care Trust supports Mental Health Awareness Week

This Mental Health Awareness Week, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging people to talk and connect with each other.

The awareness week, which takes place this year between 9 and 15 May aims to promote people building meaningful connections with friends, family, colleagues and communities. The week’s theme is ‘loneliness and our mental health’. Loneliness affects many of us at one time or another which can both be the driver for and a product of poor mental health.

Loneliness is a big issue, especially now, coming out of numerous lock downs which has undermined confidence in daily routines for a lot of people. We’ve had far less access to loved ones and the way in which we are working is changing, with many people still working from home.

Liz Harney, Clinical Manager from MyWellbeing IAPT service at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There’s plenty of things people in the Bradford and Craven district can get involved in to help support them to create meaningful connections. The Trust runs a ‘Well-Together’ service which offers free, or low cost, activities which cover the whole of the Bradford District in wheelchair-accessible venues or online. The activities range from walking groups and coffee mornings to arts and crafts activities and guided relaxation groups. Anyone can register to the Well Together service and GPs can also refer patients who they feel would benefit.

“As well as getting involved in the local community there’s plenty of things you can do at home to help combat the feeling of loneliness. Things such as getting active even if it’s tending to your garden, having a telephone conversation with a friend or someone at the local shop or doing something enjoyable such as reading a book or meditating can really help alleviate those feelings.

“MyWellbeing IAPT service runs a number of group courses across the district which can help people to come together and share their experiences. We are also active on social media regularly sharing tips and advice if you are feeling lonely.”

More information including how to register to take part in Well Together groups and activities, can be found on the Trust’s website under ‘Well Together’: https://nhsbdctstaging.wpenginepowered.com/our-services/. Information on MyWellbeing IAPT service and how to self-refer can be found at www.bmywellbeingiapt.nhs.uk or on Twitter @MyWellbeingIAPT.

For information on further mental health support available across the Bradford and Craven Districts please visit the Healthy Minds website www.healthyminds.services