We’ve reached the end of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021!

It was a truly amazing week as always, and I’d like to thank everyone who has got involved in raising awareness and sharing their own story with nature.

Today’s blog will feature some of what the fantastic mental health community has created across the blogs and news.

For a limited time, my submissions form will remain open, so please share your blogs so I can add them into this blog post or just leave a comment below.

Blogs

AMJ Comms

This blog from Ben Jones talks personally about why we need to open up the conversation about mental health and suggests some ways that awareness can be turned into meaningful action. 

Fiona McBride

Sharing the importance of talking this blog helps list some resources and encourages others to reach out. With tips for both those reaching out and those listening, it’s important to speak up if we’re struggling.

LEAPS

This blog by Aimee Wilson has a few sections starting with children and nature with some recommendations of places to go from National Trust and English Heritage along with a personal story and experience with therapy. 

Samaritans

In this blog post, the Samaritans have gone through some practical ideas on connecting with nature and how to make that experience a positive one.

The Photographer’s Way

This blog from Emma Lord shares a personal account of nature and suggests some ways to help yourself connect with it too, including some ways to bring nature to you if it’s difficult for you to access. 

Unwanted Life

This blog shares a personal experience with nature during the pandemic without a garden. There is also plenty of resources linked to, along with some ideas of how nature can benefit your own mental health. 

Wellbean Blog

This blog from Hannah shares a personal story about the calming impact of nature along with sharing how you can get involved yourself. Connecting with nature and experiencing those mental health benefits should be something we maintain after MHAW has ended.

News

BBC

This tool is a good way if you would recognise if someone were struggling. With Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage others to reach out, which helps guide responses into more positive ones.

Thanks to Mental Health First Aid England, Chi Chi Izundu and Dominic Bailey for producing this. 

Grazia Daily

This personal story from Natasha Devon is a moving read and looks at the experience of recovery from mental illness and the effects of that journey. With a lot of focus during MHAW on mental wellbeing, we cannot lose sight of the need to provide professional help to those with mental illness. 

Metro

The Metro has had an MHAW takeover where celebrity mental health advocates have been taking over to bring content that shares their thoughts.

You can see the list of articles in the series here. 

ScaffMag 

This article talks openly about the need for speaking up and accessing support that’s out there. The first step of recovery (and one of the hardest) is admitting there’s something you need help for. 

Another article on their site is worth a read, too – 49% of UK tradespeople experiencing mental health problems due to work-related issues. 

Sunday Post

This article about kayaker Nick Ray shares a personal account of what it’s like to connect with nature and the benefits that it can do. This shares specific moments in nature, and the emotions conveyed were definitely relatable. 

Organisations

Anxiety UK

Anxiety UK has produced a lovely free booklet you can download which shares some experiences with nature along with top tips on how to connect yourself.

Mental Health Foundation

As the hosts of Mental Health Awareness Week the MHF have produced a number of assets and resources for people to spread awareness. Here are two guides:

Top Tips on Connecting With Nature

Thriving With Nature Guide

Mental Health Minute

Featuring The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Anne Marie, David Beckham and other celebrity guests the Mental Health Minute broadcast across radio stations in the UK at 11 am on Friday.