Mental Health Challenge Milton Keynes is launched

The Mental Health Challenge MK aims to raise awareness of mental health and encourage people to talk about it

The challenge is supported by Milton Keynes CCG, Milton Keynes Council, MIND BLMK and other organisations across Milton Keynes.

This year World Mental Health Awareness Day takes place on Wednesday, October 10.

World Mental Health day takes place yearly and focuses on promoting mental health advocacy and educating the public on mental health.

Over the course of a year, one in four of both men and women experience some kind of mental health problem with anxiety and depression being the most common problem.

In England, one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week.

The Mental Health Challenge MK aims to raise awareness of mental health and encourage people to talk about mental health. The challenge will feature a social media campaign to encourage individuals, local businesses and organisations to sign up and pledge to do something on the day that improves their or others mental wellbeing.

Action or activities could simply be having a cup of tea with an elderly neighbour or taking an online mental health awareness course or having a display in the workplace. People can find out more, download a toolkit with activity ideas and sign up for the challenge on the council’s website.

Cllr Hannah O’Neill, cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “Good mental health is so important to good health and wellbeing. The Mental Health Challenge MK is a great way to get the conversation happening around mental health across Milton Keynes and encourage people to engage in actions that positively promote their own and others’ mental wellbeing.”

Dr Marianne Vinson, public health principal, mental health and workplace from Milton Keynes Council said, “We are hoping that people will come up with some simple actions they can do on the day as a workplace team, community, or as individuals. Be kind to your mind - keep learning, be active, take notice or give a bit of time up to volunteer, then tell us what you’re doing!”