World Mental Health Day - events in London
Project manager for young people Kat Cormack rounds up today's events for World Mental Health Day in London.
It’s World Mental Health Day today. The event which is marking it’s 20th anniversary will this year focus on Depression, something that affects a huge number of us here in the UK and worldwide and from what I can see is only getting worse.
As I’m currently working for YoungMinds and NHS London I thought I would do a little bit of my own research to see what London is doing to celebrate the day and how you can get involved.
Of course I may well have missed bits here and there so if anyone knows about something I’ve missed drop me a line in the form of a comment and I’ll add it to the list.
Camden
There will be a “Real Talk” event for 14-19 year olds running from 5:30-8:30pm at Camden Town Hall Council Chamber and the topic for debate is “Mental Health in Camden”. I will have a stall at the event and lots of information about YoungMinds and the VIK Project. There will also be some fantastic prizes, music, hot food and a goody bag for every participant. You do need a ticket for this event.
For tickets to Real Talk email mailto:Lizzie.Streeter@camden.gov.ukor call 020 7974 2943.
North East London Foundation Trust
To mark World Mental Health Day, North East London NHS Foundation Trust is hosting a ‘Depression and Dementia’ awareness event on Wednesday 10 October at Queen’s Hospital in Romford.
The event will highlight how factors such as exercise and diet can affect mental health and how people can make positive changes to their everyday lives to look after their mental health and wellbeing.
Bipolar UK’s London office will be hosting a lunchtime welcome between 12 noon and 2pm. This is your opportunity to celebrate this special day, meet the team and learn more about bipolar and what the charity do.
I’m very impressed by Haringey Council who are actually running a whole week’s worth of events in order to celebrate World Mental Health Day and help local people experiencing mental health problems. The list of activities is detailed on their website.
On October 8th in collaboration with the Central & North London NHS Trust and LSE Student union are holding an event on the Houghton street campus, in the Student union building to raise awareness of mental illness amongst students. There will be information stalls and a film show “Open Secrets” following by a group discussion.
JAMI (Jewish Association for Mental Illness)
JAMI will be manning stalls in the community, raising awareness about mental health for World Mental Health Day.
All day event at Brent Cross Shopping Centre (Centre Court) stalls, information, volunteers/advisers, short talks on mental illness.
On the 11th of October Barnet’s Mayor Brian Schama will be attending an event titled “No Health Without Mental Health”.
Dagenham are holding an event for World Mental Health Day, called Opportunities, which will highlight the Employment, Education and Training opportunities in the local communities for people with mental health issues, as well as raising awareness and addressing stigma.
Hammersmith Lyric Theatre
An event will be held in the Lyric Square and Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith on Wednesday 10th October 12-4pm. The purpose of the event is to combat the stigma associated with mental health, promote awareness of mental health and provide information on services available. The event will have something for everyone: a play produced by the Creative Minds Youth Project, speakers, film screenings, advice & information, and stalls and workshops on mental health.
Gillet Square, 14th October.
Time for tea is a one day festival spread over three locations in Dalston for World Mental Health Day in association with: Hackney Community Services East London NHS Foundation Trust Gillett Squared Studio Upstairs and Time to Change.
Time to Change are running a roadshow event at a local community centre – MyPlace Community Centre in Harold Hill Romford which is linking in with an art exhibition that is delivered by people with Mental Health conditions to raise awareness of mental health to local people in Havering.
Rethink Your Mind had a fantastic London launch event that I was lucky enough to attend last month. They asked people to send it positive, creative work with the sentence ‘With good mental health I have…’ to start them off.
They will be revealing the winner of their competition and showcasing some of the creative work that has been sent to them.
Tea and Talk events: All you have to do is get together a group of friends, family or colleagues, put the kettle on and invite them to make a donation to the Mental Health Foundation, it’s as simple as that!
MindApples
The wonderful Mind Apples will have one of their trees down at Southwark Cathedral on World Mental Health Day. Check it out and add to your 5 a day!
