Mental health matters in our communities

With COVID-19 continuing to take a toll on mental health in our communities, it has been inspiring to kick off new work with Local Trust to support mental health in Big Local areas.

Today was the first of two workshops during October bringing Big Local people together to explore what mental health means to them, the challenges they are facing during the pandemic as well as sharing and developing ideas for activities that will help support their communities.

The challenge is growing: research from Mind suggests that more than half of adults and two thirds of young people experienced worsening mental health during lockdown. With restrictions returning as the pandemic grows again nationally we addressed the impact this has on anxiety for the future, children and young people, isolation and loneliness and health inequalities.

We heard how creativity and resourcefulness has resulted in new approaches to supporting mental health with art projects, community walking routes, sports activities, practical support and local volunteering.

To support participants in these workshops we have brought together a brief summary of using links, resources and training that you can download here: BL Mental Health workshop 9th October Links and Resources.