A WEEK of activities across Gloucestershire designed to highlight mental wellbeing is to focus on the theme of relationships.

Mental Health Awareness Week, which is coordinated by NHS Foundation Trust 2gether, will raise awareness of the issue, promote advice and highlight the support available.

Social inclusion team manager for 2gether Gill Oxley said: “While we work all year round to support people with mental health conditions, Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity for us to reach out to even more people.”

Stressing that quality relationships are essential for good mental health she added: “We want to encourage people to think about the impact their relationships can have on their mental health.

“We also want to highlight how common mental health issues are, the steps we can take to improve our own mental wellbeing and the support that is available.

“One in four of us will be experiencing a mental health problem at any given time, with the most common issues including depression, stress and anxiety.

“We hope to be able to spread the message to our communities that people do not need to struggle alone.

“There is lot we can all do to improve our mental health and help is available for anyone who needs it.”

The following events are planned in the county: 

  • 10.30am-12.30pm, Monday, May 16 – tackling stigma workshop and mental health awareness session with Sahara-Saheli women’s group in Cheltenham 
  • 10am-2.30pm, Tuesday, May 17 – information bus in Cheltenham High Street, outside Marks and Spencer
  •  10.45am-12pm, Tuesday, May 17 – interactive workshop on tackling stigma as part of International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia events being held by Cheltenham Borough Council
  • 8.30am-2.30pm, Wednesday, May 18 – information bus outside Cirencester Leisure Centre
  • 10am-12pm Thursday, May 19 - talk on mental health and autism with the ASD Service at the Main Place, Coleford
  • 1.30-3.30pm Thursday, May 19 – talk on mental health and autism with the ASD Service at Gloucester Library
  • Saturday, May 21– participating in a recruitment drive for mental health professionals at the Emirates Stadium, London.

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week which runs from May 16-22 go to http://bit.ly/20GmRPu