Approximately one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) seeks to encourage individuals to talk about their mental health whilst simultaneously reducing the stigma that surrounds it.
What is MHAW?
The MHAW initiative started over 21 years ago and was founded by The Mental Health Foundation. The event is held annually with a theme set by the foundations and is regarded as one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.
What is nature?
“Nature”, in the broadest sense, means the environment in which we use our senses to experience the natural world. This could comprise the countryside, coasts, a park, a garden, plants, wildlife, lakes and rivers. It can even include nature that you can see or interact with in or from your home.
Mental health and nature
Making time to spend in a ‘green space’ or incorporating nature into your day to day routine, has proven mental and physical benefits to your wellbeing. For example, doing things like growing your own food or flowers, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have lots of positive effects:
- improve your mood
- reduce feelings of stress or anger
- help you take time out and feel more relaxed
- improve your physical health
- improve your confidence and self-esteem
- help you be more active
- help you make new connections
- provide peer support
Nature at Warleigh Weir
Here at Warleigh Weir we are a natural habitat for plants and other wildlife. The plants and trees in the surrounding land are an incredible mix of oak, birch, willow and many other species.
The river avon includes various fish species including carp, pike, perch and others. On top of the water you may find geese, swans and ducks. On the surrounding land there are moles, badgers, foxes and other species typical of the British countryside.
Please do not feed the local wildlife.
Nature Journal
The Mental Health Foundation has provided a downloadable journal, for you to record how you feel before and after connecting with nature. You can also note down anything interesting you notice along the way!
Donations
You can donate to a variety of causes on the Mental Health Foundation website here. Your donation can help the Mental Health Foundation champion good mental health for all.
Useful websites
How can nature benefit my mental health? – https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2931/nature-and-mental-health-2018.pdf
Donations – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/donate
Ideas to try in nature – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/ideas-to-try-in-nature/
Overcoming barriers – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/overcoming-barriers/