It’s Mental Health Awareness Week from 18th to 24th May. Perhaps in these testing and trying times, we all need to be more aware of our own Mental Health and that of others. Take a moment to remember that #KindnessMatters
We’ve seen many acts of kindness in our local community with great examples such as the volunteers to the NHS making PPE, the community hub volunteers, the local groups who have been helping out the vulnerable with simple acts of kindness like a phone call to check they are okay.
Why kindness?
One thing that we have seen all over the world is that kindness is prevailing in uncertain times.
We have learnt that amid the fear, there is also community, support and hope.
The added benefit of helping others is that it is good for our own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress and improve your emotional wellbeing.
Life expectancy is falling for the poorest for the first time in 100 years. As child poverty rises, children and young people in the poorest parts of our country are two to three times more likely to experience poor mental health than those in the richest.
After the 2008 credit crunch it was the most vulnerable in our communities who experienced the severest consequences of austerity, with devastating effects on their mental and physical health. This not the hallmark of a kind society.
We must not make the same mistakes after this pandemic.
Remember #KindnessMatters
Let us know about your acts of kindness in the comments below