World Mental Health Day 2023 is Tuesday 10th October.
The aim of the day is to raise awareness of mental health and to drive positive change for everyone’s wellbeing. The theme for this year’s day is ‘mental health is a universal human right’. World Mental Health Day is also a chance to talk about mental health in general, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.
Taking Care of Yourself and Others
WMHD is an important day when we can all take time to think about our own mental health, and how we look after it. We can also take a moment to think about those around us, and how we can support them when they’re struggling. Take the opportunity this World Mental Health Day to either do, or plan to do, one thing , such as going for a walk, doing something creative, taking the first steps to getting support for yourself, or reaching out to someone else.
If you are looking to speak with someone about how you are feeling and want to access some support, Kooth is a free online service available to young people (aged 11-18 and up to 25 for care leavers) across Sunderland and South Tyneside. Kooth offers live forums, information and advice as well as live chat support from friendly counsellors which are available Monday to Friday 12noon – 10pm, Saturdays and Sundays 6pm – 10pm.
Click here to find out more and start a chat about what’s on your mind.
For information on how you can improve your mental health and general wellbeing, click here to download a factsheet from Washington Mind Young People’s Project, or go to: www.youngminds.org.uk
For information on understanding mental health and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people, click here to download a factsheet from Washington Mind Young People’s Project, or click here for more information for parents from Young Minds.
Accessing Local Mental Health Support
If you feel that you need help with your mental help with you mental health, you are not alone. There are lots of different ways to get help and support for your mental health and you can find a number of options from Mind. To search for local organisations in the Sunderland and South Tyneside area who can offer support, click here.
World Mental Health Day 2023 Toolkit for Schools
Mentally Healthy Schools (Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families) have put together two toolkits which consist of several resources to help teacher improve their pupils understanding of mental health and wellbeing, and to get them talking about it on World Mental Health Day. The resources are divided into materials for use with whole classes, and activities to do with smaller groups or individuals.
Click here to download the Primary Toolkit
Click here to download the Secondary/FE Toolkit
