Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 18th – 24th May; the theme is Kindness. 

The Mental Health Foundation have chosen kindness as the theme for Mental Health Week – 280420-MHAW-Printable-Poster-Colour-A4 MHAW20-Supporter-Pack_Final 

“Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practice to be fully alive”

Research shows that kindness in an antidote to isolation and creates a sense of belonging. It helps reduce stress, bring fresh perspective and deepens friendships. Kindness can even improve feelings of confidence and optimism 

One act of kindness can lead to many more, during Mental Health Awareness Week they are asking that we do three things : 

1.Reflect on an act of kindness. Share stories and pictures (with permission)of kindness during the week using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

2.Use the resources with your family, workplaces and community to join with thousands in practising acts of kindness to yourself and others during the week

3. Share your ideas on how you think we could build a kinder society that would support our mental health using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

I’ve attached the supporters pack with further information and an example of the poster and social media downloadable resources available on the website https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week​

Please can you support the campaign and raise awareness within your networks and across the partnerships.