We are running a number of events across the county to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 – from 9 to 15 May.
We want to reach out to communities – and to people who may feel isolated and reluctant to ask for help for all sorts of reasons – through face-to-face events and bring people together to tackle loneliness and isolation.
“We recognise that loneliness affects increasing numbers of people and is a key contributor to poor mental health,” said Katie Glover, CEO of West Sussex Mind. “This has only been made worse by the Covid pandemic. We want to use Mental Health Awareness Week to remind people that we are here to offer support and help them to combat loneliness.”
Here is a taster of some of the events West Sussex Mind is running during Mental Health Awareness Week:
- Tuesday 10 May. Mental health awareness event at St Michaels’ Church Hall in Lancing, 11am to 2pm. Activities include mask-making, pebble painting and creating pinwheels with messages of positive affirmation; opportunities to chat with West Sussex Mind’s mental health team. In partnership with Arun & Worthing Wellbeing. Open to everyone.
- Tuesday 10 May. Tree trail and sensory walk through Hotham Park in Bognor Regis for our older service users with visual impairments, followed by quiz and tea and cake in the café. 1.30-3pm. Service users only.
- Wednesday 11 May. Mental health awareness and positive affirmation event for young people, Novium Museum, Chichester, 11am-1pm. Young people will create positive affirmation pinwheels and learn breathing techniques to aid relaxation. In partnership with Info Shop for Young People Chichester. Open to everyone.
- Thursday 12 May, 11am. The official reopening of our newly refurbished Littlehampton support hub on Maltravers Road with Littlehampton Mayor, Cllr Michelle Molloy, unveiling the new building. Invite only.
- Thursday 12 May. Workshop about mental health and well-being, plus meet and greet, Wisborough Green Village Hall, 11am–1.30pm.
- Friday 13 May. Chats about mental health in the following venues and at the following times: Billingshurst Library, 10-12; Pulborough Library, 11am-1pm; Storrington Library, 11am-1pm; and Henfield Library, 2-4pm. There will also be a ‘Let’s talk good mental health’ event at the Fernhurst Hub in Haslemere from 2-4pm, looking at ways to keep mentally healthy and what to do when this is a challenge.
West Sussex Mind will also be sharing people’s stories about loneliness and offering tips to combat loneliness on its website and social media throughout Mental Health Awareness Week.