World Mental Health Day: Mental Health for Everyone - Saturday 10th October 2020
It's World Mental Health Day this Saturday and this year’s theme is Mental Health for Everyone. We'd love you to help us raise awareness of the importance of maternal mental health. We'd like to show funders and governments how much we value maternal mental health charities and maternal mental health services.
To support World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October 2020 you could share something of your story, explaining why you value maternal mental health charities or services, tagging in @ActiononPP and using the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay.
You could also tag in any other service or charity that you wish, plus your MP or a funder. For example, you could tag:
- Your local MP. Find their Twitter account names here.
- Nadine Dorries, MP, @NadineDorries: Minister of State for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health.
- Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP, @DrRosena: Shadow Minister for Mental Health.
- Luciana Berger, @lucianaberger: LibDem spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care and new Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.
- Vaughan Gething, @vaughangething: Welsh Minister for Health.
- Joe FitzPatrick, @JoeFitzSNP: Scotland Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing.
- Robin Swann, @RobinSwannMoH: Northern Ireland Minister for Health.
- Comic Relief: @comicrelief.
- The National Lottery Community Fund: @TNLComFund.
You can also help amplify our calls for maternal mental health services by re-sharing the messages posted by our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
World Mental Health Day: Do one thing for better mental health today
The theme Mental Health for Everyone is especially important this year because of the huge impact the coronavirus pandemic has had, and continues to have, on perinatal mental health. This year we’re joining in with MIND’s campaign to Do one thing for better mental health. This could be for your own mental health; the mental health of a loved one; sharing a campaign message; donating to a mental health charity; or helping to raise awareness that mental health is a national priority.
Here are some ideas for things you could do:
- Consider what you can do today for your own mental health: connect with a friend, take an online class, do something relaxing, reach out for support or to meet and talk to others, for example via APP's peer support services.
- Join one of APP’s virtual communities to support your wellbeing. In APP’s Running, Walking & Cycling Club members share details of the activities they are planning and offer inspiration and support for keeping fit and active. APP’s Book Club is a relaxed and friendly space open to all to chat about books on any topic. Join us for a virtual meet-up on Tuesday 3 November at 8pm where we’ll be discussing Laura Dockrill’s book ‘What Have I Done?’
- Get in touch today to find out more about our regional online café groups or about joining a volunteer group (you could become an APP Regional Rep, Peer Support Volunteer, Storytelling Volunteer or Lived Experience speaker).
- Take time to check on family and friends. It’s more important than ever to be kind to yourself and others. Grab a cup of tea, pick up the phone and ask ‘how are you?’. See some ideas for little treats for a new mum recovering from PP on our Facebook page.
- Share APP's latest campaign messages: Re-post our #MumWatch graphic (pictured below) - raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis so that everyone knows how to seek urgent help if a new mum seems strange. During this time of increased isolation for new mums it is vital that partners and friends know how to identify symptoms.
- Share our urgent call for Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) in Wales and Northern Ireland, where there are none. Email app@app-network.org to get involved in our Wales campaign to support the development of an MBU and sign the petition by APP Rep, Oorlagh Quinn, for government commitment to an MBU in Northern Ireland.
- Remind everyone on World Mental Health Day that postpartum psychosis (PP) is an illness affecting 140,000 women across the globe every year and that we won't stop until all women and families affected by PP receive the care and support they need.
- Organise a fundraising event - it could be a Facebook Fundraiser, bake sale or sponsored run. Or you could set up a monthly donation as a gift to APP.
Need help on the day?
APP’s forum and peer supporters are here to help if you’re finding the day difficult: www.app-network.org/peer-
