World Mental Health Day (10 October) in Coventry and Warwickshire
Health partners in Coventry and Warwickshire are marking World Mental Health Day (WMHD) on Thursday 10 October with promotional activities to raise awareness of local mental health services and resources.
Organised by the World Federation for Mental Health, this year’s theme for WMHD is suicide prevention.
Death by suicide has gradually increased over the years, with rates in the UK having increased to the highest level since 2002, at 11.2 per 100,000 people in 2018. The rate is also substantially higher in men, recorded at 17.2 per 100,000 compared to 5.4.
In Coventry, the MIND Mental Health and Wellbeing bus will be visiting Ironmonger Row in the city centre between 10:00 - 16:00. The bus contains a wealth of information about mental health services and support available locally to Coventry and Warwickshire residents, along with representatives from MIND to provide advice.
Elsewhere in Leamington, an event aiming to reduce stigma around mental health and encourage people to share their own experiences is due to take place at the Royal Priors Shopping Centre in Leamington Spa between 10:00 – 13:00 on the day itself (10 October).
Representatives from Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT); Warwickshire Wildlife Trust; Coventry and Warwickshire MIND; Change Grow Live; Samaritans; and several other organisations will be available for people to talk to and seek advice about mental health.
Lead for Clinical Risk and Suicide Prevention at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust Anne Prendergast said “This World Mental Health Day we want to raise awareness about how important it is to take care of your mental health, and to look out for friends and family who may be struggling. “
Warwickshire County Councillor Les Caborn, portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “[H]ealth and care partners in Warwickshire and Coventry are continuing their efforts to prevent suicide and provide better support for those bereaved by suicide.
“[I]t is fantastic to see so many partners across the area working together to both support individuals and help break the stigma of mental health.”
Consultant of Public Health at Coventry City Council, Jane Fowles said: “Across our region there are many stories of pain and loss from people bereaved by suicide.
“Therefore it is important when addressing this and the surrounding stigma that we make sure their stories are heard, and that everyone in our city feels they have someone to talk to and knows there is help available.”
Information is available about a range of mental health and wellbeing services, including face to face, telephone, online and self-help resources in Coventry at https://bit.ly/2LQRTVI and in Warwickshire at https://bit.ly/2nsUA6y, or through www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk.
Please share your messages and show your support on social media using the hashtag #itsgoodtotalk
See flyer: Its_ok_to_talk_A5_Flyer_Web_1.pdf [pdf] 133KB
Local support in Coventry & Warwickshire
- It Takes Balls to Talk
http://ittakesballstotalk.com - Coventry & Warwickshire MIND
https://cwmind.org.uk/ - Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org/ - Safe Havens - Warwickshire County Council
https://cwmind.org.uk/warwickshire-safe-haven-nuneaton - Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership and the Zero Suicide Alliance
https://www.bettercarecovwarks.org.uk/; https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/ - Stay Alive app
http://ow.ly/2hwM50vT4L8 - Kaleidoscope Plus Group
https://www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk/what-we-do/suicide-bereavement-support/ - Every Mind Matters - Public Health England
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/