Stuart Anderson MP is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week. The annual awareness campaign is organised by the Mental Health Foundation, a national charity that works to drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all.
This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between the 10th and the 16th of May 2021. Having previously suffered from poor mental health, Stuart has welcomed the event as an important opportunity to talk about all aspects of mental health. Stuart is using his website and social media channels to share tips on sustaining good mental health and links to organisations that are there to help. This can be accessed at www.stuartanderson.org.uk/stuart-anderson-mp-mental-health-e-guide.
The focus for Mental Health Awareness Week this year is on connecting with nature. Research has shown that being in nature is an effective way of enhancing mental wellbeing. As a keen runner, Stuart has spoken about how exercising outdoors played a pivotal role in his rehabilitation after being injured during his time in the Army. Stuart also enjoys ultra-running and is asking everyone to take a moment to appreciate the natural world by stopping to listen to the birdsong, smelling freshly cut grass, taking care of a house plant, or noticing trees, flowers, and wildlife nearby.
In his role as an MP, Stuart has been calling on the Government to invest in options that help local communities connect to the outdoors, such as through tree-planting initiatives. Stuart is thrilled that the Government has reopened the Urban Tree Challenge Fund, with a goal to plant an additional 44,000 trees. These trees will be planted near schools and healthcare centres and in areas with fewer trees and higher social deprivation. It is part of a series of Nature for Climate Fund announcements, leading up to the publication of the Government’s action plan on trees, woodland, and forestry.
Stuart is also asking constituents to complete a survey he is undertaking on local environmental priorities. The results of this consultation will help to form the basis of Stuart's work on this subject.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “As someone who has previously suffered from poor mental health, I know just how important it is to look after our own wellbeing and to look out for each other. There are lots of things we can do - by staying active, spending time outdoors, and being kind to each other. Events such as Mental Health Awareness Week are an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on how vital mental health is to our overall wellbeing and to talk about all aspects of our mental health. This year, I’m asking everyone to take the time to connect with each other and with nature, whether that is by going for a walk, a run, or something more ambitious as the restrictions ease.”
Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said: “Mental Health Awareness Week has grown to be one of the biggest awareness weeks in the UK. This year the theme is on nature and its central role for our mental health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature to help us get through lockdowns and our research shows that good mental health depends on us being able to connect with nature in some way and its power in both prevention of and recovery from poor mental health. During the week, we want to hear millions of people’s stories about how the natural world has supported their mental health.”
More information about Mental Health Awareness Week can be found here: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week.