News / Mental health awareness week
NHS SHETLAND has announced details of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which starts on Monday (5 October).
The health board will team up with local charity Mind Your Head and Samaritans to hold a World Mental Health Day coffee morning on 10 October at the Levenwick hall between 10am-12pm.
On display will be a collection of people’s stories about their own journey through mental health.
A number of group walks will be held throughout the week to promote physical activity and social interaction. They will take place at:
- Lerwick – Tuesday 6 October, 5.30pm-6pm. Meet at Lerwick Health Centre.
- Scalloway – Thursday 8 October, 1.30pm. Meet outside Scalloway pool.
- Levenwick – Saturday 10 October, 9.30am. Meet at Levenwick hall.
- West Mainland – Saturday 10 October, 2pm. Meet at end of the road in Bousta, Sandness.
NHS Shetland is also encouraging people to perform random acts of kindness to others during the week to give people a boost – however small the act may be.
A ‘Reading for Mental Health’ display will also be on show at the Lerwick Library to point locals towards literature that can increase the understanding of mental health conditions.
NHS Shetland’s health improvement practitioner Jill Hood said the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is recovery.
“Recovery doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of symptoms or coming off medication,” she added.
“It’s about taking steps forward and feeling more positive. Everyone has a role to play in looking after their own and others’ mental health so we also wanted to emphasise the everyday things we can all do that make a difference to the way someone feels; our random acts of kindness challenge has some examples of this.”
Those worried meanwhile about their mental health should contact their GP, or call the Samaritans 24/7 on their new free phone number 116 123 for a confidential chat.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
