This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 13 May to 20 May 2019. It is sponsored by the Mental Health Foundation and this year it focuses on body image awareness. Mark Rowland, the CEO of the Mental Health Foundation explains why body image has been chosen for this year’s theme:
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 13 May to 20 May 2019. It is sponsored by the Mental Health Foundation and this year it focuses on body image awareness. Mark Rowland, the CEO of the Mental Health Foundation explains why body image has been chosen for this year’s theme:
“All of us live with our bodies as they evolve and change. Just as all of us have a role in shaping an inclusive culture where we help others feel comfortable in their own skin”.
Many people struggle with how they view their bodies – they can often overlook its strength and complexities, and focus on how they ‘should’ look. The media has bombarded society with images of an ‘acceptable body’, which has intensified with social media. The use of photo shopping and ‘likes’ on Instagram and Facebook for how someone looks have left many of us feeling that we don’t live up to societies expectations. This can bring shame and distress.
We are aware that girls and women are vulnerable to poor body image, but the Mental Health Foundation are looking at how this theme actually cuts across not just gender, but disability, sexuality and ethnicity. It impacts on all of us in different ways. This can have serious impact on our mental health and wellbeing. During Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation will be releasing findings of body image research and set out the increased risk of mental health problems that accompany poor body image.
The NCOA are supporting Mental Health Awareness Week – follow us on Twitter @NCOAunion where we will be sharing the findings of the Mental Health Foundations research. We have purchased green ribbons for all our reps to wear to raise awareness and highlight our commitment to mental health.
In support of this years theme 'Body Image', the NCA OH are hosting a morning of talks at both Olympic House and Spring Gardens on Thursday 9th May to raise awareness as to how our mental and physical image can be supported by exercise and nutrition. They are:
Olympic House
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10:00 - 10:30
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Nutrition
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A Better Life (ABL)
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10:45 - 11:15
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Exercise
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A Better Life (ABL)
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11:30 - 12:30
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Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness | |
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12:30 - 13:30
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EAP & Clinician Drop-in
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Clinicians
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Spring Gardens - Rome/Athens
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Time
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Topic
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Presenter
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10:00 - 11:00
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Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness
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|
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11:15 - 11:45
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Nutrition
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A Better Life (ABL)
|
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12:00 - 12:30
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Exercise
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A Better Life (ABL)
|
|
12:30 - 13:30
|
EAP & Clinician Drop-in
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Clinicians
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We also encourage you to attend the NCA activities the following week which are as follows:
· A systemic psychotherapist will be running an interactive workshop by VTC on Monday 13 May, 14:30-15:30. The session will focus on recognising signs of stress in the workplace and the helpful tools that are available.
· Mental health professionals from the charity State of Mind Sport will be hosting sessions at Calder on Wednesday 15 May, 12:30-13:30 and 13:45-14:45. The sessions will focus on mental fitness and wellbeing.
For further information on Mental Health Awareness week and support available, please visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week.
Faye Lowe
NCOA National Health and Safety Officer