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Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 branded graphic in white and green with Mental Health Awareness Week logo on the top right and text "Anxiety is a common feeling that sometimes gets out of control."

Marking Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

Published: 4 May 2023
Filed under: Health and wellbeing

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 May and this year’s theme is anxiety.

Mental Health Awareness Week is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation who organise it and set the theme every year.

We know many of our residents are struggling with anxiety and that many are worried about their finances at this time, but we want to remind you that support is available and that you’re not alone.

Wellbeing events in Fellowship Square

This year we’ll be celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week with two wellbeing events in Fellowship Square.

Yoga and sound meditation for wellbeing

Yoga has been shown to help us reduce and manage anxiety. Join us in Fellowship Square on Tuesday 16 May, 6.30pm to 7.45pm, for a 75-minutes session of yoga and a gong bath in savasana with our friends from East of Eden.

Tickets cost £3 and proceeds will go towards the local mental health charity, CREST. This event is supported by the Women of Waltham Forest staff network.

Waltham Forest Wellbeing Fair

Join us for a wellbeing market on Thursday 18 May from 11am to 5pm

There'll be a host of street food options, wellbeing organisations, and retail wellbeing stalls. Come and connect with your community and show your support on the day, whether that's buying tasty food, speaking to one of the organisations about wellbeing or seeing what small businesses are doing to support your wellbeing.

Support available in Waltham Forest

Although anxiety is a common feeling in our everyday life, we know it can severely impact our relationship and daily activities.

There are several things you can do to help with feelings of anxiety before things get worse.

Therapy or Counselling

If you feel like you could benefit from a therapy service, the first step is to speak to your GP, who will know what’s available locally and can help you decide which treatment is best for you.

You may also be able to self-refer for counselling or therapy by contacting the service directly yourself. Find your local psychological therapies (IAPT) service.

Good Thinking

Good Thinking is a digital service can help you look after your mental health and wellbeing in a way that works for you. It can help tackle anxiety, stress, low mood sleep problems and other concerns.

Start your journey with Good Thinking.

Kooth

Kooth provides free online mental health and wellbeing support to young people in Waltham Forest aged 11-25 years old. Young people can register anonymously and access online counselling 365 days of the year, digital magazines, wellbeing activities, and connect with other young people.  Professional counsellors are also available for one-to-one chat sessions from 12 noon until 10pm on weekdays and 6pm until 10pm on weekends.

Sign up for Kooth

Five ways to wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to boost your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive, especially during difficult times, and able to get the most out of life

These actions are

  1. Feeling connected
  2. Keep learning
  3. Being active
  4. Taking notice
  5. Volunteering/ giving back to the community

Visit the Five Ways to Wellbeing section of our website to learn more about the campaign and how you can take these steps in Waltham Forest.

Cost of living support

We know many of our residents are feeling worried about their finances, which causes them a lot of anxiety.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet at this time and you feel you need extra support to help you during this difficult time, whatever your specific challenges or needs, we’re here to help.

Cost of Living support in Waltham Forest.

For urgent support

If you need mental health advice or are feeling particularly low, help is available even if services seem busy at the moment.

Find your local NHS mental health support helpline that can provide you with 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for. If you live in Waltham Forest, our partner at NELFT have set up a new Mental Health Direct number. If you're in a crisis and don't know what to do, dial 0800 995 1000

Other resources

  • Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 mental health support at Shout.
  • Call 116 123 for Samaritans 24/7 suicide prevention helpline.
  • Call the Papyrus’s Hopeline UK 0800 068 4141, 9am-midnight every day of the year for confidential suicide prevention and mental health support for young people.

If your life is at imminent risk, please call the emergency services on 999.