This Sunday 10^th October 2021 is World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’, as set by the World Federation for Mental Health.

World Mental Health Day is a day when we are encouraged to speak out, spread the word and make change happen. Throughout the day we will be sharing statistics on Twitter that give an insight into the scale of the inequalities that people experience. They highlight that we must keep fighting for mental health to make sure everyone can get the support they need.

On Friday 8^th October, we are hosting an event for World Mental Health Day. The event will be held in Hastings at a new community venue ‘the common room’ at Eagle House. The event will run be between 11am and 3pm and we will be highlighting the issues around inequalities and mental health. There will be a number of wellbeing and mental health services and projects at the event supplying information and engaging the public in activities. There will be free wellbeing taster sessions, including mindfulness, crafts and powerhooping. More information is in the flyer here.

Come to Jubilee Square opposite the Jubilee Library on World Mental Health Day on the 10th October between 12 – 5pm for a Mini ramp jam.

• FREE skateboarding taster sessions all day for ages 5+
• Join in the mini ramp skateboarding competition from 2 – 3pm and win some prizes!
• Get information on mental wellbeing
• There will also be a children activity area

Come along find out about mental health, watch or even take part in some skateboarding!

Brighton and Hove City Council are celebrating the importance of mental health and the skateparks community on World Mental Health day. Skateparks are diverse, supportive and accepting free spaces in the city where confidence, resilience and great fun can be had by all!

#worldmentalhealthday

Physical exercise and being outdoors can be good for our mental health. Brighton and Hove City Council’s Healthy Lifestyles team have published details of free Healthwalks in October and November around Brighton and Hove, including a range of different distances and suitable for a range of abilities.

You can download their Interim programme here.

There is more information on Healthwalks on the Brighton and Hove City Council website.

‘What will you start doing this Stoptober?’

The Healthy lifestyle Team’s Health Trainers are continuing to provide individual support to smokers who are ready to quit, with up to twelve weeks of appointments, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (gum, patches etc) and motivation available to keep you on track.  To make a referral for yourself or someone else, please complete our online referral form.

For more information or to book call the Healthy Lifestyles Team on 01273 294589 or email healthylifestyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk

This service is FREE, confidential and open to all adults in Brighton & Hove.

Friday 10th September 2021 is World Suicide Prevention Day, this year the theme is Creating Hope Through Action. Hope is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. This Friday, Mind in Brighton and Hove will be sharing suicide prevention resources and encouraging people to share what makes them feel hopeful using the hashtag #HopeinMind. For example going for a walk to your favourite coffee shop, connecting with a friend or listening to a certain song.

You can support World Suicide Prevention Day by sharing resources about suicide prevention and taking the time to reach out to someone. These simple actions can give someone else hope. Click here for a resource created for our Men’s Mental Health project in Hastings which includes details of resources that could help people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

As lockdown restrictions ease, it is still important that we continue to pay close attention to our own mental health and wellbeing and that of those around us.

Extensive research has shown there are five simple activities you can incorporate into daily life to improve your sense of wellbeing.

Brighton and Hove City Council have a new colourful A5 leaflet with information about the ‘5 Ways’: click here to view or download. 

They have introduced the acronym ‘CLANG’ as a good way to remember what the ‘5 Ways’ are.

Connect: Reach out to your local community, neighbourhood, colleagues, family and friends.

Learn: Learning new things can be fun and can improve your confidence. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Share what you have done with others.

Be Active: Exercising makes us feel good. If you can get outside, try and go for a walk everyday. Discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take Notice: Look out as well as in. Notice your senses and what’s around you. Pay attention to the present moment. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”.

Give: Acts of giving and kindness can help improve your wellbeing by creating positive feelings and a sense of reward, purpose and self-worth. They also help you connect with other people.

Think of these as your 5 a day for positive wellbeing.