To mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, NHS Sussex is encouraging people to do something nice for a friend or a stranger.
Evidence shows that helping others makes people feel better about themselves as well as improving the wellbeing of whoever was on the receiving end of the support.
Dr Tom Scanlon, director of public health for Brighton and Hove said:
“It doesn’t matter how big or small the help is – everything counts towards making our society a better place to live. So, go on, do something nice for someone else and help to make Sussex the happiest place in the UK.”
Events across Sussex on 10 October include:
- At 3pm at Jubilee Library, there will be a ‘Human Library’ where people are books, ready to be ‘borrowed’ and answer questions about their lives and the kinds of prejudice and discrimination they have faced. You can borrow books about gay parenting, hearing voices, self harm, living with HIV and depression, being transgender and more.
- A jewellery making workshop – aimed at adults with disabilities or mental health needs and their volunteer ‘partners’ in the afternoon at Hove Museum
- A healthwalk starting at 10am at Preston Park, which will include a petanque and green bowls taster session afterwards
Notes to editor
In 2008, the New Economics Foundation was commissioned by the UK Government’s Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing to write a report which identified a set of evidence-based actions to improve wellbeing, which individuals would be encouraged to build into their daily lives.
The report identifies Five Ways to Wellbeing which are:
Connect…
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and
neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of
these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing
them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Be active…
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance.
Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical
activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice…
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice
the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to
work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around
you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help
you appreciate what matters to you.
Keep learning…
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course.
Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an
instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will
enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as
well as being fun.
Give…
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile.
Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in.
Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community
can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people
around you.
For more information contact:
Rachel Haynes
Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs
NHS Sussex
01273 574 621
rachel.haynes@bhcpct.nhs.uk
