Publish date: 5 May 2022
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, running from Monday 9 May until Sunday 15 May 2022, will explore the theme of loneliness and its effect on mental wellbeing, with practical steps people can take to address and reduce it for themselves and others.
We are getting involved by linking to the Greater Manchester Walking Festival and the walks available in Tameside and Glossop throughout May. People can choose to do a short or long, easy or more challenging walk. There’s something for everyone.
Millions of people in the UK are affected by loneliness every year and it is a key driver of poor mental health. The Mental Health Foundation have been tracking loneliness levels in the UK during the pandemic and found the experience has been much higher with devastating impact.
Loneliness has been an important factor contributing to higher levels of distress, resulting from people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others. Further polling also found that loneliness was one of the leading issues that the public felt needed to be addressed.
Walking is a practical, positive step in helping to reduce loneliness and can help improve mental wellbeing.
If you’re new to walking, don’t let that put you off finding a walk. The GM Walking Festival has a list of walks accessible for people of all abilities.
People interested in joining in the GM Walking Festival to find a walk near them, to improve their mental health and reduce loneliness in their community, or to encourage someone else, can find the walks available online at https://gmwalking.co.uk/festival-routes/ with the first 100+ now live.
Find more advice and support for loneliness visit the Every Mind Matters website www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/loneliness/ or search EveryMindMatters/Loneliness.
Activities and events taking place in and around Tameside and Glossop during Mental Health Awareness Week, held by Tameside, Oldham and Glossop (TOG) Mind, the Anthony Seddon Centre and Infinity Initiatives, can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/mentalhealthsupport/mhawareness
