Be kind – Mental Health Awareness Week

We’re recognising and celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week across Blake Morgan this week.

Of course, these are unusual times which are particularly challenging for most of us and a significant cause of stress and anxiety for many. The toll on many people‘s mental health and wellbeing could be profound and the effects long-lasting. It is therefore imperative that we do everything that we possibly can, as an organisation, to provide assistance, support and guidance to colleagues at this difficult time.

Originally, the Mental Health Foundation’s plan was that this week would focus on the value of sleep and the benefits that healthy sleeping patterns and routines could have upon an individual‘s wellbeing. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, and the significant impact that it has had on all our lives and, in particular, the way we interact with other people, the theme of the week has changed and the focus will be on kindness. This is, I believe, a poignant and appropriate change.

There is more emphasis being placed on the value of kindness and consideration across society and the extent to which we rely on such attitudes and values is greater now than it has been in most of our lifetimes. I expect that many of us are seeing or experiencing “random acts of kindness” across the communities in which we live – communities with which we may be becoming more familiar than we ever have before. I, for one, have been particularly struck by many of the things that I see around where I live and the extent to which people, even more than ever, are looking out for one another. As Mark Rowland, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation has put it, when experiencing such an act; “At a time when I felt alone, I suddenly felt connected“.

I’m sure that we have all been struck, profoundly by the commitment and kindness of our fabulous front-line workers (across the NHS and similar). And who can fail to be inspired by the achievements of the remarkable Captain Tom Moore who, through his act of kindness managed to achieve so much and connect with the hearts and minds of millions.

This week (which is probably the most important Mental Health Awareness Week that there has ever been) there will be a focus on the power and potential of kindness. The research shows that protecting our mental health will be vital to many people in coping with, and recovering from, the pandemic, not least with the psychological and social impacts likely to outlast the physical symptoms of the virus.

We will spend this week talking about the value of kindness to others but also, as importantly, kindness to ourselves. Internally, we will be sharing a range of articles, podcasts, webinar options and book recommendations with colleagues and ensuring our Mental Health First Aiders are offering support wherever it’s needed. We will also be publishing our Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy for 2020-25.

There has been much talk about the extent to which our long-term behaviours and attitudes may change after COVID-19 has passed – the profound effect that it may have on our society. Our mental health and wellbeing (and the occurrence Mental Health Awareness Week) is a microcosm of that speculation. The week plays an important part in raising our consciousness around issues such as stress and anxiety but the Week cannot stand alone as a short spell in which we think about these matters and then quickly forget.

I firmly believe that we should all take some time, now, to reflect (and, indeed, to challenge ourselves) as to how our attitudes and behaviours can improve, long-term, the lives of those around us. Our desire and drive to improve our working lives (and the environment that we create around the workplace, whether it be in an office or at home) does not start and end with this week; it is ongoing and we can always improve. May I wish each and every one of you a kindness-filled week!