Approximately a quarter of the UK population will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of this year ranging from with severe anxiety, self harm and depression - the most common mental disorder in Britain.
Sutton Council has teamed up with Sutton Mental Health Foundation to host a high street event from 10am to 4pm with a number of activities offered and local organisations involved.
Sutton Mental Health Foundation will be at Trinity Square offering the chance for people to talk about mental health and wellbeing. Talk Easy Trust will also be speaking with residents on the High Street about mental health and the great work that Talk Easy do in mentoring and counselling young people with mental health and emotional wellbeing issues.
On offer over at Sutton Library will be a mindfulness session (10.30am – 11.30am) teaching people how to pay attention to the present moment to better deal with thoughts and emotions. Later in the day (2pm - 3pm) there is relaxation workshop where people can learn breathing and relaxation techniques that can relieve the symptoms of stress.
Throughout the day there will also be performances and workshops by the Gary Mason Drummers and the Arts Network Sutton will be hosting silk painting and collage workshops.
Councillor Simon Wales, Lead Member for Finance, Assets and the Voluntary Sector
and Sutton Council’s Mental Health Champion explains:
“We are delighted to be supporting World Mental Health Day and to be working with our partners to raise awareness of mental health.
"World Mental Health Day and events like this in Sutton aim to stamp out mental health stigma, nobody should be ashamed of voicing mental health concerns, only through open dialogue and discussion can we begin to tackle such issues and ensure that those suffering are given all the help and support they need.”
Sutton Council is committed to turning Sutton into a ‘mental health friendly community’ in which professionals, businesses and residents all have a role in supporting people with mental health issues.
The “Our Place – Embracing Mental Health’ initiative is a Sutton Council project set to launch later this year. It will work with local employers to open up opportunities for people with a mental health background to find sustained employment.
World Mental Health Day is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. It was launched in 1992 by the World Health Organisation