Mental Health Awareness Week 2020

MHAW_73512
This week (18 - 14th May 2020) is Mental Health Awareness Week. Run every year by the Mental Health Foundation, this year's theme is 'kindness'.

Many members of the farming community already live relatively isolated day-to-day lives, which has only been heightened as the country copes with lockdown and social distancing. That is why now more than ever, it is important to share and appreciate kindness.

Small acts of kindness have been helping many people, both in the farming, rural and wider communities feel closer together over the past few weeks, as neighbours help one another out and communities come together (at a distance) to celebrate the NHS, carers and all those who have gone above and beyond, to lessen the effects on our livelihoods of the global pandemic.

Take the opportunity this week to reach out to family member, friend, neighbour or colleague for a chat and a catch up - it can be beneficial to both of you.

You can get involved throughout the week, by carrying out or reflecting on an act of kindness. Post a photo or video, using the hashtags #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

The below list details a number of farming charities, there to provide support for all Covid-19 and 'business as usual' issues:

To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week, and how you can get involved, visit their website

For information, guidance and in-the-moment support, contact the mental health charity Mind (0300 123 3393), NHS - Every Mind Matters or the Samaritans (116123)

HSE guidance on discussing the Covid-19 outbreak with your employees, including on how to provide wellbeing support, can be found here

More NFU guidance on mental health support during the Covid-19 outbreak can be found here