#KindnessMatters
This week (18-24 May) is national Mental Health Awareness Week. The national organiser, The Mental Health Foundation, has focused on the theme of kindness. They say:
‘One thing that we have seen all over the world is that kindness is prevailing in uncertain times. We have learnt that amid the fear, there is also community, support and hope. The added benefit of helping others is that it is good for our own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress and improve emotional wellbeing.’
In East Lothian, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and partners are raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing and sources of support across the week – you can follow it all on Facebook and Twitter.
East Lothian Integration Joint Board Chair, Councillor Fiona O’Donnell, says:
‘Kindness is really important and the best way we can all support good mental health in these challenging times. Let’s be kind to ourselves and kind to one another and look ahead to better times.’
‘Kindness is a really good choice for this year and we can see that kindness in action in our communities – whether it be our wonderful health and social care staff, council staff delivering the frontline services we rely on, posties, delivery drivers, supermarket workers or all our amazing community volunteers.
‘I’d like to give a special mention to our mental health and wellbeing partners who are delivering vital support and information – like Changes, 1st Response, Stepping Out and Eastspace. And all our staff in the Intensive Home Treatment, Community Psychiatric Nursing and Substance Misuse Teams.
‘Kindness is really important and the best way we can all support good mental health in these challenging times. Let’s be kind to ourselves and kind to one another and look ahead to better times.’