Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 Resources
The theme of MHAW2022 is Loneliness. We have been sharing resources all week on our social media and have collated some of them here...
Mental Health Foundation
MHAW is organised by the Mental Health Foundation. There is a wealth of resources on their website and this guide on How to Look After Your Own Mental Health is a great place to start.
Signposting for Loneliness- Young People
Apps
There are many app based resources aimed at connecting young people who are lonely. Those featured in this article by Holland and Barret include Meet Up, TalkLife, Huggle, HEY! Vina, Youper, Predictable and Happify.
If you are planning on meeting someone new, please meet in a safe way, in public, and let someone know where you are going. Wikihow has some great tips for online safety.
The Wolfpack Project is Nottingham’s only youth organisation dedicated to reducing loneliness and promoting positive mental health among people aged 16-35. As well as 1:1 support from a team who are trained in Mental Health First Aid, they facilitate social groups, events and support networks to connect young people who are experiencing loneliness. They also facilitate groups specifically for young people who identify as LGBTQ+ to support mental health and combat loneliness.
Signposting for Support- Parents
There are some many organisations, locally and nationally, that can offer support and connect parents and carers who are struggling. Here are just a few...
Apps
There are many app based resources aimed at connecting parents who feel lonely, as well as providing forums to ask questions and receive support from those in similar situations. Those featured in this article by Mother & Baby include Mush, Peanut, Dadapp, Mummy Social and Bumply.
Websites and Local Organisation
Maternal Mental Health Alliance
https://maternalmentalhealthal...
Ask Lion (local children & families info)
https://www.asklion.co.uk/kb5/...
Netmums (Parenting Advice)
Parents and Carers LGBT+ Support Service (local)
https://www.nottshelpyourself....
Care for the Family (including support specifically for single parents or if you are parenting a child with additional needs)
https://www.careforthefamily.o...
Homestart Nottingham
http://www.home-startnottingha...
Coram Family and Childcare
Mental Health Support for People from a Black and Asian Heritage
Within Nottingham, there are charities and organisations who specifically support those from a Black or Asian heritage with mental health. There are also national initiatives, some of which are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list. If you know of others, please email us at TNT and we will add the details.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Counselling Hub (Nottingham)
https://www.nottinghamcounsell...
Headwize (Support with Mental Health for 5-24 year olds and their families in Nottingham)
Black Minds Matter connect
https://www.blackmindsmatteruk...
Mental Health Foundation
https://www.mentalhealth.org.u...
Black, Asian and African Therapy Network
Racial Equality Foundation: Racial Disparities in Mental Health Review
General Signposting for Older Adults
There are many charities and organisations working to support older people in connecting with others. These are just a few. Many are locally-based and a good initial point or contact would be your local GP surgery or library to find out what is happening where you are.
Places of Welcome are free weekly groups where you can connect with others over a cup of tea and biscuits. Find one local to you at https://www.placesofwelcome.or... (If you would like to explore hosting a place of welcome in your church or community, see our Places of Welcome page for more info.
Age UK Nottingham provide a befriending service. If you think that you, or a loved one, would benefit from this kind of support, get in touch with Age UK Notts today!
Phone 0115 844 0011 Email info@ageuknotts.org.uk
Other befriending links can be found on the Notts Help Yourself signposting page
U3A (University of the 3rd Age) facilitates activities for seniors around different interests and hobbies. There are several local groups throughout Nottinghamshire to help you 'Learn, Laugh, Live' well into retirement.
The Wainman Trust provides safe places for older people to enjoy life, be cared for and make new friends. Click on the link to find out more about their Together Clubs and how they can help.
Good Companions works in the south of the City to reduce loneliness and isolation for vulnerable and older people.
Support for Individuals
Please note- we are not mental health professionals and, although we have chosen resources from well known organisations, we would advocate contacting your GP as a first port of call if you are struggling with mental ill-health, or the new Countywide 24/7mental health helpline which is is 0300 303 0165.
Samaritans: Support for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Call 116123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/
The Tomorrow Project is a confidential suicide prevention programme that has been set up in Nottinghamshire to support individuals and communities to prevent suicide
For more information contact us at info@tomorrowproject.org.uk or text on 07594 008 356 or visit http://www.tomorrowproject.org...
Notts Help Yourself
nottshelpyourself.org.uk is a directory of services available to residents of Nottinghamshire. Their website includes both a dedicated Mental Health section, as well as a linked Self Help and Self Care section.
Harmless is a charity specifically aimed at supporting those experiencing self harm or suicidal thoughts, as well as professionals, and the friends and family of those affected. Find out more at https://harmless.org.uk/
Enlighten the Shadows (Real Men, Real Talk) https://www.enlightentheshadow... 'We are a men's mental health group. If you need help- suffering with mental health- you no longer need to suffer in silence'
Domestic Abuse
For some people, mental ill health will be as a result of ongoing physical, emotional or financial abuse by another person. If you, or someone you know, is affected by domestic abuse there are local organisations who can help-
Equation https://equation.org.uk/ for women, men, children and professionals
Juno Women's Aid https://junowomensaid.org.uk/ for women, children and teenagers
NIDAS https://www.nidas.org.uk/ for women and children
Nottinghamshire Police https://www.nottinghamshire.po... or call 999 if in immediate danger or 101 for non-emergencies
Green Social Prescribing (Nottingham CVS)
Green social prescribing is a way of connecting people to nature-based activities and green groups, projects and schemes in their local community for support with health and wellbeing. Often this will be through a referral from a Link Worker based at a GP practice or another primary care professional.
Our scheme in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, called GreenSpace, is all about improving people’s mental health. Green providers, social prescribers, voluntary organisations and community initiatives will help connect many more people with nature-based activities, helping everyone to feel better.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of being outdoors, with millions of us turning to nature as a coping strategy, particularly during lockdown. Evidence shows that being more connected to nature and, through doing this, connecting with other people helps us experience lower levels of stress, fatigue and anxiety, among other benefits.
Green social prescribing is a growing movement which carries this principle forward, providing much-needed support to people who are struggling with their mental health, by connecting them with community groups and local green initiatives for practical and emotional support.
Find out more at https://www.nottinghamcvs.co.u...