It's Mental Health Awareness Week (9-13 May 2022)

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) occurs from Monday 9 May and the theme is ‘loneliness’.

The Mental Health Foundation, who host MHAW, state that ‘loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health during the pandemic.’

Loneliness can be described as the feeling we get when the connections we have don’t meet our needs or wants. Loneliness is something that we all feel on occasion, but what makes a person feel lonely is personal to them. Being alone is not the same as being lonely, you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. This article from Mind explains this in more detail and highlights some of the causes of loneliness. 

Throughout the pandemic the Mental Health Foundation has led a study on how the pandemic has affected the nation’s mental health. Their research has shown that people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others during the pandemic has made loneliness worse.[1]

Community has always played an important role in the evolution of our species – we need other people to survive - but our modern day lives means that we are finding connections in a different way. We can socialise, shop, and take part in exercise classes without having to leave our homes.

However, feeling connected to a community and to other people in a way that makes us feel valued is integral to good mental health. Studies have shown that long-term feelings of loneliness are associated with high mortality rate and poor physical health outcomes.[2]

Which is why it’s more important than ever that we all come together to tackle this issue within our communities. Find out how you can get involved here.

If you or someone you know is affected by loneliness here are some resources that you may find helpful:

Tips on how to manage loneliness

Loneliness support brochure for children and young people (link to brochure)

Loneliness support brochure for adults (link to brochure)

15 things to do if you are feeling lonely

Alternatively, if you’re looking for professional support, we offer our IAPT service, the Emotional Wellbeing Service, to all East Riding residents. Find out more www.humberews.co.uk

[1] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/mental-health-foundation-announces-loneliness-theme-mental-health-awareness-week-2022

[2] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/why-loneliness-theme-mental-health-awareness-week-2022