News / Bristol
Bristol to mark Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental health issues affect one in four people, from all walks of life and are all too often suffered in silence.
Bristol’s Five a day wellness campaign aims to focus on prevention, stamp out the stigma and shed light on support services available. The idea is based around the principles that connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving can help us all get more out of life.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a national campaign that will be marked with a programme of events across the city from May 8 – 12, kicking off on Monday with a chance to plant bulbs and spread sunflower joy in Champion Square, St Jude’s.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol24/7 will be joining in to help raise awareness by running a series of articles in a bid to shed light on one of the most pressing concerns in modern society through the people who have experienced it first hand and organisations working to offer support.
Speaking about the Five a day campaign, Becky Pollard, director of public health at Bristol City Council, said: “Prevention is so important and good mental health is something that needs to be maintained and worked on.
“We want to see mental health put on the same footing as physical health so we all know how to look after our minds.”
Alongside the main programme, people are invited to host their own events in their communities based around the different themes. Schools are also being encouraged to get involved.
Events taking place throughout the week include:
Monday: Plant Some Sunshine, Champion Square, St Jude’s, 11am – 2pm.
St Mungo’s Putting Down Roots team is inviting everyone to join them and plant flowers to spread joy in the community. Contact: Jo on 07702 858 243 or book tickets online.
Midwife Meet Up, Bluebell Place, 2 Quay Street, 7.30pm – 10pm.
Hear from a panel of speakers on the importance of supporting parents during pregnancy, birth and beyond. Tickets start at £8. www.newlifeclasses.com/midwife-meetup/
Walk Fest kicked off with a College Green and continues with a mindfulness walk to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
Tuesday: Be Active: Statue by Central Library, College Green, from 10.30am.
Join a mindfulness stroll around the city as part of Bristol Walk Fest’s packed programme.
Wednesday: Take Notice: Blaise Castle, Kings Weston Road, 4pm – 6pm.
Everyone is welcome to join the quest to see what hidden goods are to be found with a treasure hunt at Blaise Castle.
Thursday: Learn: Bristol’s Central Library, 10.30am – 2pm.
Get involved in a taster session of the reading aloud for well being project, Bristol Shares Reading. There will also be an interactive display where people can learn more about how to look after their mental health all week.
Friday: Give and Get event: The Galleries, ground floor, 10am – 2pm.
In the spirit of good old fashioned community help, people are invited to go along and find out how they can receive practical help in areas, from cooking to technology, friendship to arts, languages, exercise and more. All help is given free of charge – there’s no transaction or exchange.
Read more: Bristol’s mental health crisis
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
