Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), a provider of mental health and disability services, is backing Mental Health Awareness Week, which aims to drive conversations on mental health and create lasting change.
Taking place on 18-24 May, the week has been hosted by the Mental Health Foundation since 2001 and has focussed on themes such as body image, stress and relationships.
This year’s theme is kindness, something which we have seen in abundance in recent months.
John Lawlor, Chief Executive at CNTW, said: “In these challenging times, kindness has prevailed all over the world. We have learnt that while there is a lot of fear and uncertainty, there is also kindness, spirit and hope.
“It has been heart-warming to see our members of staff helping each other during this difficult time and going above and beyond to make patients and colleagues feel supported. We cannot thank our staff enough for their unfailing and unwavering kindness.”
The Mental Health Awareness Week campaign reaches millions of people each year and works to drive change for a mentally healthy society for all.
Mental health can affect anyone at any time, with one in four people experiencing problems with their mental health at some point in their lives. Acts of kindness are not only good for the recipient but they can be good for our own mental health and wellbeing; helping to reduce stress and improve emotional wellbeing.
To tie in with Mental Health Awareness Week, staff at CNTW will be busy putting together wellbeing packs for patients. Thanks to donations from businesses and money donated from Captain Tom Moore’s heroic fundraising efforts, around 650 inpatients from across the Trust’s four localities will receive a pack including toiletries, snacks and activities to keep them entertained such as puzzle books.
Lawlor added: “Due to measures put in place because of COVID-19, the wards have not been able to have any visitors which can be hard on patients who miss their families.
“The wellbeing packs will hopefully serve as a pick-me-up and bring some comfort in these testing times.”
While Mental Health Awareness Week might usually have been celebrated with events or get-togethers, this year CNTW has asked its staff to send acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, to be shared on social media. The Trust will be posting these throughout the week.
More acts of kindness from CNTW can be found here.