Shining a light on mental health

This week marks the annual Mental Health Awareness Week, a week dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being across the UK.

Organized by the Mental Health Foundation, this year's theme is ‘Movement: moving more for your mental health’

One of the most important things we can do to help protect our mental health is regular movement.

Our bodies and our minds are connected, so looking after ourselves physically also helps us prevent problems with our mental health. Exercise releases “feel good” hormones, that reduce feelings of stress and anger. It also helps us feel better about our bodies. It can improve our sleep too. If it involves other people, like being part of a team, a class or group we see regularly, that can also boost our mental health.

Despite these benefits, so many of us struggle to move enough. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines.

Dinner hour drop-ins

Movement is important for our mental health. But so many of us struggle to move enough.

Finding time to fit sport and activities into your busy schedule can prove difficult so participating in sports activities during your lunch hour can be the perfect answer.

The new dinner hour drop-ins offer 30 minutes of sport. You can also make the most of the lockers, changing rooms and showers available at the Beacon. The new Yard Nine café can also provide you with some lunch and coffee after your session.

Playing sport can help you stay physically and mentally fit and is a great way to alleviate stress and increase productivity during your working day. Click here for more info.

Andy’s Man Club

Andys Man Club Sunderland want to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgment-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives. Aiming to achieve this through weekly, free-to-attend support groups for men aged over 18.

You can join Andy’s Man Club at the Beacon every Monday evening. Click here for more info.

𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭

Space North East aim to support men in the North East with depression, loneliness and anxiety. They believe that talking helps, and giving you a space to talk is one of the things that they do best.

Join their men’s peer-to-peer support groups every Wednesday evening at the Beacon. Click here for more info.

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜

Not A Statistic Northeast CIC understand how difficult it is for people going through life's ups and downs to find a space where they can build connections with others who understand what they’re experiencing.

Not a Statistic are at the Beacon every Thursday at 7.00pm.

Believe

Believe aims to provide a safe and supportive space for women to openly discuss their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Offering an informal environment to recognise the importance of creating spaces where women can connect with like-minded individuals. The group is the first of its kind in addressing the mental health needs of women in our community. Click here for more info.